English: The Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, organized two concurrent training camps named ‘Samudra-Manthan’ and ‘Varuna’, for the IVth and VIIth term cadets respectively from 9-12 March 2016. Over 260 trainees of the Academy participated in these camps spread over a grueling four days. The exercises undertaken by the trainees involved crossing water obstacle course, endurance marches/runs, seamanship activities, and whaler rowing & sailing in backwaters and the high seas with very limited sleep and rest.

Camps ‘Samudra-Manthan’ is aimed at testing the trainees to the limits of their physical and mental endurance. Camp Varuna, attended by seventh term cadets, was a combination of nautical and terrestrial camps, focused on developing ocean rowing and sailing skills, values of camaraderie, team building and spirit of competitiveness amongst the senior term trainees. As part of camp Varuna, the cadets were divided into groups and competitively rowed from INA to Madakara in the Kavvayi backwaters and thence they, continued sailing in the Arabian Sea off Madakara harbor in 27 feet sailing boats. On the last day of camps, a triathlon was held where in the trainees had to cover a very difficult multi terrain run of over 20 kilometers in full battle gear followed by long distance swimming and culminating in an obstacle course run.

The objective of conducting these camps for cadets is to develop qualities of leadership, espirit-de-corps, will to fight under severe mental and physical stress so as to make the trainees ready in all respects for combat and completing dangerous tasks meaningfully so necessary for military. The four day camp culminated with a camp fire at the camp site inside INA on 12th March. Rear Admiral MD Suresh, NM, Officiating Commandant presented trophies and individual prizes to the winners of various competitions during the camp fire.