INS Chilka, Odisha: “I feel empowered. Now I know my worth. Thanks to Agniveer Scheme,” said 21-year-old Sapna from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, who is going to pass out as an ‘Agniveer’ from the Indian Navy’s INS Chilka base Tuesday. After 16 weeks of rigorous training that was only focussed on discipline, mental ability and physical fitness, Sapna is busy gearing up for Tuesday's ‘Passing Out Parade’ from INS Chilka.
On Tuesday, nearly 2,600 Agniveers, including 273 women, will pass out from INS Chilka. This is the first-ever passing out of the Agniveers from any training institution of the country, according to the Indian Navy.
ABP Live visited INS Chilka to spend a day with the Agniveers ahead of their passing out.
"I knew nothing. I did not know swimming, boat pulling and other things. Today I know it all. I can even carry out drills today. The Navy has taught me everything. Now I feel empowered compared to other women in my town,” Sapna, who is from the first batch of the Agniveers, told ABP Live.
But for Sapna and other young Agniveers like her, this is just the beginning.
After passing out, these young aspiring soldiers will have to undergo professional training from May onwards. The successful trainees would be deployed on frontline warships for their sea training.
On June 14, 2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the three Service Chiefs launched the Agnipath Scheme. From November onwards, the Indian Navy started recruiting the Agniveers from all corners of the country. It also took the initiative to recruit women Agniveers.
According to Sapna, it was a “dream come true”, and she did not feel any issues at INS Chilka to undergo the training that was done at par with the boys. Each and every training session was for the men and women Agniveers together, except for their accommodation.
Commodore NP Pradeep, Commanding Officer – INS Chilka, told ABP Live in an exclusive interaction: "First of all, after the Government of India had made the announcement of the Agnipath Scheme, Indian Navy was first off the block and we inducted the first of the Agniveers commencing end November.”
He added: "Their training started December 1 onwards. So, majority of the activities comprising of outdoor activities like PT, drill, watermanship training, firing practice and in addition there are some indoor training also, basically academic classes and some about services subjects."
Commodore Pradeep also said: “This particular batch is important to us because we also have with us the women Agniveers who have been inducted for the very first time in the armed forces and for accommodating them we have prepared one particular accommodation block, made it women-friendly.”
He said there have been no changes in the training module of Agniveers compared to the normal course. “As far as quality of the training is concerned, there is no drop and their (Agniveers) standards are very high. We have world class facilities also here at INS Chilka and no compromise on the training standards.”
The women's residential block at INS Chilka has been set up for the first time in that base since the inception of the place. The sprawling block has now been equipped with CCTV cameras installed at every corner, changing rooms have been created inside the dormitories where curtains have now been put up. The women's washrooms have also been installed with geysers, washing machines and lockers for sanitary napkins for which vending machines have been put up and a disposal method for the sanitary pads have also been put in place.
The day for these Agniveers begin with Parade at 6:30 am followed by a gun drill. Thereafter, they go for swimming while some of them head towards arms training and fire fighting exercise.
The Agniveers are given small arms training with INSAS, Carbine and LMG. They are also taught the basics of a ship, warship, helicopters and submarines. Guest lectures are arranged to give the Agniveers lessons on India’s military history and strategic ambitions.
Located around 100 kms away from Bhubaneshwar, INS Chilka is spread over 1,530 acres overlooking the vast Chilka Lake, the largest salt water lagoon in India. About 1,500 trainees pass out from INS Chilka every six months on completion of their basic training for professional and seamanship courses.
'We are looking ahead at a brighter future’
According to the Agnipath Scheme, the age limit for the applicants should be within 17.5 years to 21 years. Upon four years of service only 25 percent of the Agniveers will be inducted into the forces while the remaining 75 per cent will be sent home with a final package of Rs. 11.71 lakhs, exempt from taxes.
“They absolutely have no doubt about this scheme as to what will happen to them after four years and what they will do,” said Pradeep.
For now, the Agniveers at INS Chilka are content with the fact that they are able to undergo and learn some skills and techniques, which will open up more avenues for them.
“With this technical knowledge and education that we received here, I can work in PSUs where technical knowledge is required. We will have good opportunities in the Indian Railways. Apart from that, we will also have good personalities and better communication skills,” said Manoj, a student of Computer Science at PGDAV College (Delhi University).
According to 21-year-old Panda, he has made his parents proud by joining the Navy as Agniveer and now he wants to serve the country.
“Even if I do not make it to the Navy, I will still have a bright future. We can finish our studies and with the skill-set I have obtained under the Navy, I will be able to take up any job. I have made my family proud and now I want to serve my country,” said Panda while he was preparing for the evening parade schedule amidst driving rain that delayed his routine.
During the Passing Out Parade Tuesday, the Agniveers would be accorded various awards based upon their performance. The Indian Navy has instituted the General Bipin Rawat Rolling Trophy for the ‘Woman Agniveer Trainee Standing First in Overall Order of Merit’. This trophy would be presented to the deserving woman Agniveer by the daughters of Late General Rawat.