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INS Ghorpad decommissioned

Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Bidding adieu: Vice Admiral R.P. Suthan saluting the flag of INS Ghorpad during the decommissioning ceremony at the Naval Jetty in Visakhapatnam on Friday. —

VISAKHAPATNAM: INS Ghorpad, a Landing Ship Tank of the Indian Navy, was decommissioned at a solemn ceremony at the Naval Jetty here on Friday.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 21, 1974, with the primary role of amphibious operations, it completed 33 years of meritorious service to the nation.

The ship participated in a number of naval exercises and was extensively used for transportation of sea combat equipment like tanks, self-propelled guns, lorries and cargo onto beaches.

Vice Admiral Raman Prem Suthan, Flag Officer-Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, decommissioned the ship.

The decommissioning ceremony, signifying the end of an era, is a tribute to its meritorious services. At sunset, the Guard presented arms and the Naval Band played the Last Post.

The Naval Ensign and National Flag were lowered from the ship’s mast and simultaneously, the decommissioning pennant hoisted on the ship was also lowered symbolising the end of her services to the country and the Indian Navy.

Later, in a formal chat with the media, Vice Admiral Suthan said that INS Ghorpad was commissioned in Poland and had served for 9,000 hours at sea covering a total distance of 1.66 lakh nautical miles during its 33 years of service. He said that the average life of a ship was 30 years beyond which they were no longer cost-effective.

He said that larger LSTs would be acquired as a replacement. INS Kesri would join the Navy in the near future.

Lt. Cdr Anil K. Tomer, who is the last Commanding Officer of INS Ghorpad, described her as the ‘grand old lady’ who has great accomplishments to her credit. Even during her last days, she was fighting fit.

Cdr M.V. Raj Krishna, who had commanded the ship between May 2005 and June 2006, described the decommissioning as a ‘nostalgic’ moment.

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