Amazed in the ``big'' world

BIG SHIPS, huge cranes, earth movers and jumbo container trucks.

Welcome to the Chennai Port.

It was one journey that many a child looked forward to. Many, looking out of their school bus windows, could barely believe. ``This is one place where everything is really gigantic. Is this where all the large- hearted are,'' asked one.

Some others were in an animated sign-language argument. An instructor who came along with the children from a city school for the hearing impaired, said that they were debating if the ship belonged to the Navy or some other force. One seemed to have a problem with the colour and hence the argument.

The occasion was the Coast Guard day celebrations. The force celebrated its 23rd anniversary on February 1. ``A number of activities are being organised as part of these celebrations. One of this is the visit of school children. The focus is to get more special children to visit the Coast Guard ships,'' says Commandant M. Ramesh, officer-in-charge, Coast Guard Regional Store Depot, Royapuram. The Royapuram unit was coordinating the visit of the children, on behalf of the Coast Guard region (East).

The ships which the students went on board were the CGS Vikram and CGS Varaha. Vikram was the ship responsible for capturing a pirate suspicious Merchant vessel, m.v. Gloria Kopp, in Indian waters last December, after a hot chase.

The students had a good look around, including the guns and armament of the ship.

Some seemed to fancy the gunner's seat on the ship while a couple of others felt secure in the bridge. ``Probably shows what they will choose if they look seaward,' remarked a sailor.

By R. K. Radhakrishnan

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Section  : Features
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