INS Chilka, a premier basic training establishment for sailors of the Indian Navy, was commissioned on February 21, 1980. The commissioning of INS Chilka in this region has ushered in a period of revival of the time honoured maritime traditions.

Before Independence, the Boys Training Centre of the Navy was at two establishments, Bahadur and Dilawar, in Karachi. To meet the training needs post-Independence, a temporary training centre was set up in Bombay that was later shifted to INS Circars at Visakhapatnam. However, with the rapid expansion of the naval facilities at Visakhapatnam, the need for a suitable site for a permanent location of Basic Training Establishment (BTE) assumed considerable importance. Finally, it was at the vast green expanses bordering the historic Chilka Lake in Orissa that the Navy decided to set up a permanent training establishment for sailors to be named after the famous Chilka Lake.

Chilka, the largest brackish water lagoon of our country, is connected to the Bay of Bengal. Dotted with over a hundred tiny and beautiful islands, Chilka Lake covers about 950 to 1150 sq kms. This vast sprawling watery expanse interspersed with dense green shrub land has been for time immemorial the winter home for our feathered friends from the north who have been visiting in large numbers every year. As such, this place is of international repute and has a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance.

INS Chilka, spread over an area of 1530 acres, trains sailors for the Navy who are recruited from various parts of the country. Training is imparted to Direct Entry Diploma Holders (DEDH), Yantriks (Coast Guard), Artificer Apprentices (AA), Matric Entry Recruits (MER) and Naviks (General Duty) (Coast Guard), Non-Matric Entry Recruits (NMER), Naviks (Domestic Branch) (Coast Guard) and Acting Petty Officers who are outstanding sportsmen of national repute. About 1500 trainees pass out from the portals of this establishment every six months on completion of their basic training for professional and seamanship courses.

Training of the recruits has been designed so as to develop their mental and physical faculties. It also instills in them a sense of adventure, self-confidence, competitive spirit and above all, high values of a disciplined life. The main emphasis in training is on the mastery of professional subjects with a service bias in order to equip the trainees with adequate knowledge to shoulder responsible duties afloat and ashore. Most modern and highly sophisticated models and training aids are used in imparting training.

The progressive use of modern techniques and training with modern facilities like language laboratory, computer literacy centre and various seamanship model rooms has brought about a marked change in choosing the right man for the right job thereby boosting the overall image of the service in the changing times. Apart from regular classroom instructions, the sailors receive training in outdoor and waterborne activities to develop physical stamina and strength to inculcate esprit-de-corps and camaraderie. The training also exposes them to various adventurous activities like route march, sailing expedition and lake swimming. The regimental drill, cross country, troop games and seamanship is also imbibed in them.

Recently, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Madhvendra Singh visited INS Chilka. During his visit to Orissa, he also called on the Governor of Orissa, Mr MM Rajendran at Raj Bhavan and also met Chief Minister, Mr Naveen Patnaik. Issues relating to Navy's support for disaster relief measures, increasing recruitment of youth from the state into the Navy and development of facilities at INS Chilka were discussed. The Governor appreciated the help rendered by the Navy during natural calamities.

The Admiral reviewed the passing- out parade of the Matric Entry Recruits (MERs), Non-Matric Entry Recruits (NMERs) of the Indian Navy and Navik (General Duty) recruits of the Indian Coast Guard, Altogether, 1809 trainees comprising 1578 MERs, 121 NMERs and 110 Naviks passed out successfully after a rigorous basic training curriculum which extended up to 24 weeks making them confident and disciplined products. These trainees will be deputed to various training schools for professional courses that will prepare them to man frontline ships, submarines and air squadrons of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.

Among the passing-out trainees, Vijender Singh was awarded the best all round MER of the batch. He ranked first in overall order of merit, for which he received the CNS Rolling Trophy and gold medal for the best MER. Pankaj Negi was adjudged the best MER in academics and received the Director General Coast Guard (DGCG) Rolling Trophy. Shailendra Sinchury was adjudged the best-all round NMER and received the gold medal and best all Round NMER Trophy.