source:zeenews.com
The Indian Navy's Ezhimala naval academy, regarded as the biggest officers' training institution in Asia, would be dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on January 8.
The over Rs 720 crore world class project in Kerala's north Malabar coastline is unique in many ways as it is surrounded by picturesque seven KM stretch of beach as well as part of the serene backwaters and by seven hills.
The institution is now all set to commence various basic training programmes, including four-year B.Tech in Electronics and Communications, and Mechanical Engineering in June for all newly inducted trainee officers.
The courses, recognised by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have been structured with the help of Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru University.
Many friendly foreign naval powers including Japan and Korea have evinced interest to join the training programmes at Ezhimala. The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta had recently said that the Navy would accommodate foreign cadets within four years when things get stabilise in the new Academy.
The academic curriculum is tailored to keep pace with the technological advancement. The academy will also condition the young aspirants with mental and physical attributes enabling them to exercise self-discipline, perform efficiently under stress, think and react quickly and develop leadership qualities.
"The opening of this world-class academy would be a major landmark in India's naval history as well as the people of Kerala," Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral Sunil K Damle, who oversees the project implementation, said.
"Such a centre of academic excellence is sure to become the envy of Asia and source of immense pride for the State providing tremendous employment opportunities for the local population," Damle said.
Set up at the foot of seven hills of which 260 metre high Mount Dilli is the tallest, the sprawling academy is spread over an area of 2,452 acres with perimeter of 22 KM of which seven KM stretch is beach.
The serene Kavvayi backwaters forms part of the academy which also has large forest area with a variety of flora and fauna.
Ezhimala, the place where the academy is located, derived its name from the Malayalam word 'Ezhu Mala' which means seven hills. The union government approved the Navy's proposal to locate the academy at Ezhimala in 1982 following which Kerala came forward to provide the proposed 2,500 acres land and basic infrastructure for area development free of cost. The foundation stone for the Academy was laid by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on January 17, 1987.
With the cabinet approving the project in March 1995 to be executed in eight years, the actual works began in January 1998 putting an end to the uncertainties and litigations connected with the land acquisition that stalled the works for a while.
The Academy proposes to provide University education to its young officers in a military environment in view of the growing complexity of Navy's various responsibilities.
The subjects are categorised broadly into Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Meteorology, Oceanography and computers. Naval subjects are also covered during the training period.
Besides, the ongoing short term naval orientation courses for trainee cadets will continue with the academy completing seven passing out parades after the +INS Zamorin+, the base depot ship for the Ezhimala Naval Academy got commissioned in April, 2005.
INS Zamorin derives its name from Zamorins of Kozhikode (Calicut) -- the dynasty which ruled Kerala's Malabar region between the 13th and 18th century.
In addition to this, the academy is according highest priority to practical and hands-on training in Seamanship, Navigation, Watermanship or Damage Control and Fire Fighting.
The infrastructure set up in the academy has been mainly grouped into three zones -- training, administrative and accommodation zones.
The Academy's Main Building Complex has the Headquarters wing, Service and Technical Training wings, Laboratories, workshops, a library and a 1,736 seated auditorium. With facilities like schools and a hospitals in it, the Academy will be a self-contained township with all associated facilities after the ongoing works gets completed.
A large number of open spaces have been created to ensure adequate natural lighting and ventilation.Cadets accommodation has been connected to the Mess and infact to the entire training zone through covered links to ensure that training is not affected during the prolonged monsoon in the region.
The Zamorins had a strong fleet of warships, which under the stewardship of the famous Kunjali Marakkar, played a major role in ensuring that the Portuguese did not establish a foothold in Kerala.
The over Rs 720 crore world class project in Kerala's north Malabar coastline is unique in many ways as it is surrounded by picturesque seven KM stretch of beach as well as part of the serene backwaters and by seven hills.