INS Shivaji honors 1971 war hero with Original Vir Chakra Award

INS Shivaji, the premier technical training establishment of the Indian Navy, recently received the prestigious “Vir Chakra” award in honor of the late Vice Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury for his courageous actions during the 1971 Pakistan war. Vice Admiral Dinesh Prabhakar, the distinguished chair of marine engineering at INS Shivaji, was also honored with the Vir Chakra award at a ceremony organized by the Indian Navy in Lonavala, near Pune.

Vir Chakra Award was awarded to the late Vice Admiral.

The late Vice Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury is notably the only technical officer in the Indian Navy to be bestowed with the Vir Chakra, India’s wartime military award recognizing bravery in battlefield operations, whether in the air, on land, or at sea. The ceremony was attended by family members of Vice Admiral Chowdhury, Gargi Bose and Padipta Bose.

The leadership quality of Vice Admiral Chowdhury 

Vice Admiral Chowdhury’s gallantry is rooted in his actions during the Indo-Pak War 52 years ago when he served as the engineer officer onboard INS Vikrant. Facing a critical situation with one boiler malfunctioning and the others working sub-optimally, he and his team undertook challenging repairs at sea, without assistance from the original equipment manufacturers. Their efforts involved intricate technical measures, such as fixing metallic bands across the boiler and adjusting safety valves under dangerous conditions.

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The leadership qualities demonstrated by Vice Admiral Chowdhury were crucial in rallying his team and convincing them to undertake these challenging repairs with confidence. His contributions played a vital role in the success of the Indian Navy during the wartime operations. Admiral SM Nanda acknowledged Vice Admiral Chowdhury as ‘An Engineer Par Excellence.’

Gallant actions of Vice Admiral Chowdhury 

Vice Admiral Chowdhury’s bravery, patriotism, and dedicated service are a testament to his significant achievements, earning him the Vir Chakra for his gallant actions in the 1971 battle. Beyond his wartime contributions, he also played a pivotal role in the repair of INS Vikrant’s boiler during deployment.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, INS Shivaji, as the preeminent training establishment of the Indian Navy, received the original Vir Chakra, posthumously awarded to the late Vice Admiral Benoy Roy Chowdhury. Vice Admiral Dinesh Prabhakar, in his role at INS Shivaji, was also honored with the Vir Chakra during the solemn ceremony in Lonavala on December 18, 2023. The ceremony was attended by family members of Vice Admiral Chowdhury, acknowledging his enduring legacy of bravery and service to the nation.

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