INS Rajput to slip into annals of history

Visakhapatnam After its grand contribution for little over four decades the Indian Navy's first destroyer INS Rajput will slip into annals of history on Friday. As the sun sets on May 21, the Naval Ensign and the Commissioning Pennant will be hauled down for the last time onboard INS Rajput, symbolising the decommissioning.

INS Rajput, the lead ship of the Kashin-class destroyers built by the erstwhile USSR was commissioned on May 4, 1980 and has rendered yeoman service to the Navy for over 41 years.

INS Rajput will now be decommissioned at a solemn ceremony at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Owing to the ongoing pandemic, the ceremony will be a low-key event attended only by in-station officers and sailors with strict observance of Covid protocols, a naval press release said.

INS Rajput was constructed at the 61 Communards Shipyard in Nikolaev (present-day Ukraine) under her original Russian name 'Nadezhny' meaning 'Hope'. The keel of the ship was laid in September, 1976 and she was launched on September 17, 1977. The ship was commissioned as INS Rajput on May 4, 1980 at Poti, Georgia by IK Gujral, the Ambassador of India to USSR with Capt. Gulab Mohanlal Hiranandani as her first Commanding Officer. Over her four decades of glorious service to the nation, the ship has the distinction of serving in both Western and Eastern Fleets.

With the motto "Raj Karega Rajput"_ firmly etched in their minds and indomitable spirit, the gallant crew of INS Rajput have remained ever vigilant and always 'on call' to protect the maritime interest and sovereignty of the nation.

The ship has participated in several operations aimed at keeping the nation secure. Some of these include Operation Aman off Sri Lanka to assist IPKF, Operation Pawan for patrolling duties off the coast of Sri Lanka, Operation Cactus to resolve hostage situation off the Maldives, and Operation Crowsnest off Lakshadweep. In addition, the ship participated in numerous bilateral and multi-national exercises.