As 'INS Godavari' dropped its anchor today, one of its designers got nostalgic while recalling the features of the country's first indigenously designed and built warship that served the forces for over three decades.
"The upper deck (of 'INS Godavari') contains the Soviet weapons while the lower deck contains the western one. It was appreciated everywhere", said its former captain N S Mohan Ram.
Also one of its designers, he said the frigate could carry two Seakings helicopters which was a historical feat.
Ram added that the warship could achieve its top speed of 29.5 nautical miles per hour for which some changes were made in its propeller and boilers.
"From 1974 to 1976, we worked on the fundamental design and later the construction of the ship started. In May 1983, the sea trials began while it (the frigate) was commissioned in December 1983," the former officer said.
Incidentally, Ram is also the designer of 'TVS Scooty', the largest selling scooter brand in its segment.
When asked about designing 'Scooty', he said in a lighter vein that designing a scooter was "more difficult" compared to designing a ship.
"Building a ship is easy as men know what they want, but women don't know what they want," he quipped.
Over the past three decades, INS Godavari was deployed in numerous operations including 'Operation Jupiter' 1988 (Sri Lanka), 'Operation Shield' and 'Operation Bolster' 1994 (de-induction of Indian Army from Somalia) and 'Patrol of Gulf of Aden' 2009 and 2011 (anti-piracy operations).
In 1988, it was part of 'Operation Cactus' where India successfully thwarted a coup d'etat against the Maldivian Government.
'INS Godavari' was showcased around the world as a symbol of India's growing military might and self-reliance.
