Kolkata keeps date with Bay of Bengal giants, peeps into life & arms inside Navy warships
Times of India | 29 November 2025
Kolkata: Excited school children, marine engineering students, and curious families flocked to Kidderpore Dock on Friday morning as the Indian Navy opened two frontline 90-metre-plus warships — INS Khanjar and INS Kora — for public visits as part of the Navy Week celebrations, leading to Navy Day on Dec 4.
From the moment the gangway dropped, groups of students in uniform streamed aboard, clutching notebooks and phones, eager for a closer look at life inside a warship. Naval personnel guided them through the narrow corridors, showing the bridge, living quarters, and weapon stations, while patiently fielding a barrage of questions. "It felt like entering a whole new world," said class VII student Ayushman Tiwari. "We saw where the officers sleep and how the sailors work. The officers also explained how the missiles are fired and the place where army helicopters land on the deck," he added.
Parents and teachers said the open-ship visit offered children a rare, practical understanding of the Navy's work. "They read about defence forces in textbooks, but seeing a ship up close is different," said a teacher, Sheikh Mohammed Salehin. The crew explained everything in simple language. For many, the highlight was the weapons on deck. Children gathered around the 7.62 Negav LMG and 9mm carbine submachine guns and peered curiously at missile launchers. Officials said the aim of the public display was to build awareness and inspire young visitors. "This is an opportunity for citizens to understand how our ships operate and what our officers do at sea," said Cdr Ronie Chowpoo, the commanding officer of INS Khanjar.
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, these ships are guided-missile corvettes of the Eastern Naval Command deployed in the Bay of Bengal. They are open for public viewing at Kidderpore Dock Berth 11 (Gate No. 3) till Sunday. These are equipped with surface-to-surface missiles, anti-aircraft guns, AK-176 and AK-630 systems, advanced surveillance sensors, and modern fire-control radars. Inside the ships, the compact mess, bunks, and the assortment of safety gear drew equal attention.