Ghumakkad in Hindi means 'the wanderer'. That is what I am. On the move any time anywhere!
This blog chronicles Ghumakkad's travels/teachings/learnings around the globe as picture stories. In addition, there are Picturesque Quotes (PQs) created using my pictures. Enjoy it.
If you have also been to the places/topics described here, please feel free to add to the content.
Your comments/ suggestions are welcome.
What differentiates the armed forces personnel from their civilian counterparts?
Discipline.
Anything else?
Their value system.
Like what?
Nation first and always.
And how are such values inculcated?
By rigorous training at the time of joining and throughout the service life!
Training the Bedrock
Training is the bedrock of the Armed Forces. Training is fundamental to ensuring national security, transforming civilians into disciplined soldiers capable of surviving and succeeding in extreme conditions. It instills core values, builds physical and mental resilience, and develops teamwork essential for operational success.
Whether it is the Army, Navy or Air Force, military training ensures the development of following essential attributes:
Discipline and Character Development: Military training instills strict discipline, resilience, and a strong sense of responsibility, shaping moral character keeping in mind 'Nation First'.
Combat Readiness: Rigorous training ensures that personnel can withstand high-pressure, unpredictable, and dangerous environments, enhancing their success in combat.
Teamwork and Camaraderie: Training emphasizes working as a unit, developing deep trust, camaraderie, and mutual support among troops, which is essential for mission success.
Physical and Mental Conditioning: It prepares soldiers (or sailors and airmen) for the immense physical demands of war—such as carrying heavy gear, traversing difficult terrain (or operating far away at sea or submerged in a submarine), and succeeding with limited resources—as well as the mental fortitude to manage fear.
Leadership Development: Training teaches individuals to take initiative, make critical decisions under pressure, and lead by example, preparing them for future leadership roles.
Skill Proficiency: It provides technical proficiency in using sophisticated weaponry, technology, and vehicles or ship borne systems, alongside tactical skills like navigation and communication.
Adaptability and Problem-Solving: Personnel are trained to adapt to changing battlefield dynamics and to innovate solutions, such as repairing equipment or adjusting tactics in real time.
You may argue that many of these attributes are required in the civilian life as well. We agree But what differentiates is the purpose and objective. Rising above self. Thinking beyond profits.
Services Training Academies in India
In India, we have the training academies for the officers as listed below. Similarly for the personnel below officer ranks (PBOR), suitable training is imparted at respective Regimental Centres or schools.
National Defence Academy (NDA) - for all three services
Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers Training Academy (OTA) - for officers joining the Army
Indian Naval Academy (INA) - for Navy
Air Force Academy (AFA) - for Air Force
Indian Naval Academy (INA)
Located in Ezhimala in Kannur district of northern Kerala, INA trains the officers of all branches and specialisations. The cadets undergo a four-year training program leading to the award of an Engineering degree. Ghumakkad along with few other Navy Veterans had visited INA recently. All these Veterans had been 'instructors' (faculty) together at a premier training establishment of the Navy 52 years ago. That is why the visit to INA had special significance for us.
Spread over 2500 acres, it is Asia's largest naval academy. With a seven km coast line, it imparts comprehensive training including watermanship training. INA harnesses solar energy, with most of the rooftops lined with solar panels. It trains and transforms the cadets. We share few pictures and videos of our day long visit.
Prior to INA's Inauguration in 2009, where was the Academy located earlier?
Buddies though nearing 75, are ever ready for a picture!
INA also trains the cadets from friendly foreign countries as shown by their national flags in the picture below.
Electronics and Communication department was of interest to all of us being former Valsurians!
Keeping up with the times! The AR/VR lab!
INA Library was a delight to visit. See the pictures below.
Cafe in the library building? Yes at INA!
Watermanship Training Centre
The Squadrons
Cadets are assigned a squadron on joining. Squadrons promote healthy rivalry in sports and other competitions. There are six squadrons at INA namely Achiever, Braveheart, Cheetah, Daredevil, Eagle, and Fighter. Pictures below.
Katari Cadets Mess
Mess Dining Hall
Get a feel of the massive dining hall in the video clip below.
To honour the mates who are no longer there, a 'Missing Mate Table' finds a place of honour in the Academy Dining Hall. See the picture below.
We also met a 6th Term cadet during the lunch break. Tall and trim, ready to take on the world. A picture of confidence. As per protocol, we can't show the face here. The cadets wear their term tab on the left collar as shown in the picture.
We the Veterans hosted a lunch for the Commandant and other senior officers of INA. On a personal front, many of us had served with the present Comdt's late father in INS Valsura during 1973-75.
It was a privilege to present a copy of my book on Social Entrepreneurship titled 'BITS of Social Impact'. Picture below shows Capt PK Jindal presenting the book to the Comdt.
After seeing the strides made by INA, we all returned to Kannur with a deep sense of satisfaction and pride. Special thanks to Commodore E Govindan for organising the visit.
Challenges at INA
To get a first hand impression of INA and the challenges faced, we interviewed Rear Admiral KS Venugopal (KSV), VSM former Principal of INA. Excerpts:
HB: As Principal of INA, you must have interacted with the Naval Academies of other countries. How do you compare INA with other Academies in terms of infrastructure, faculty and the quality of training?
KSV: INA is one of the unique training academies focussing on 4-year BTech curriculum in Mechanical, Electrical/ Electronics subjects to match the Vision of the Indian Navy. The academy provides world class training with Infrastructure that includes state of the art laboratories and simulators. Instructors and faculty are specially selected. The quality of training is of very high standards which is monitored regularly.
HB. With changes in technology, how does INA upgrade the syllabi and prepare the cadets for future? A case in point is increasing use of AI, VR, Drone technology etc in warfare.
KSV: When one compares BTech curriculum, the training at INA matches with the infrastructure of any of the premier technical institutes in India. The syllabus is upgraded in two ways. Firstly, INA obtains continuous feedback from the operational units and other training institutions and the syllabi is upgraded/ modified periodically. During recent times, INA has incorporated advanced technology laboratories featuring Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR).
Secondly, INA has MoUs with leading technological institutions in India. This enables research collaboration, faculty development and inputs by expert professors on technological advancements.
HB: As you mentioned that the cadets on successful completion of the four- year program, qualify to get a BTech degree. Unlike a regular engineering college, how does the INA maintain a balance between academics and other aspects of Naval training?
KSV: This is the most challenging and an important aspect of training at INA where the focus is on all round development of cadets. Each graduate of this academy has to be intellectually confident, physically fit and emotionally intelligent. Like an equilateral triangle, the training in Academics (BTech curriculum), Physical Fitness and Soft Skills are given equal importance at INA.
HB: Thank you Admiral for your time.
We are reminded of Frank Bell's quotation on education and training which says, "The goal of education is understanding; the goal of training is performance". We have created the following PQ- picturesque quote on a stunning picture by INA.
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The Veterans who visited INA had their Reunion at Kannur. You may browse the related stories of the Reunion linked below:
Veterans - A Powerhouse of Energy: Veterans never get old--may be a rhetorical or symbolic sentiment. They do get old like all other senior citizens. But when they get together for Reunions, they are a powerhouse of energy! As if re-born!
Hope you got a feel of the Indian Naval Academy which trains and transforms the cadets into future leaders. Thanks for browsing. Do leave a comment, it keeps us going.
Stay connected.
-Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ 27th April 2026/ Secunderabad
Blue Flag Certification? What does it mean? Where can we find a Blue Flag Certified beach? How many certified beaches does India have?
Blue Flag Certification is a prestigious eco-label, awarded by Denmark's Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It signifies beaches that meet strict criteria in areas like water quality, environmental management, safety, and environmental education, promoting sustainable coastal tourism. Blue Flag Certification is given to beaches, marinas, boats and sustainable boating tourism operators worldwide. Ghumakkad recently visited the blue flag certified Golden Beach in Puri, on the east coast of India.
Worldwide there are more than 5000 blue flag certified beaches with Spain leading the tally with 700+ beaches. India has 12 blue flag certified baches. See the map below.
Sharing below a short picture story of the Golden Beach in Puri. Enjoy the pictures, videos and do plan a trip to Puri. Don't miss the morning magic at the beach.
Here is a short video clip showing the pre-dawn panoramic view of the beach with the surf breaking close by.
Ghumakkad was part of the College Reunion in Puri. See another short video capturing the surf and few batchmates who were early risers at the beach.
Although approaching 75, the winter chill did not deter the 'young' batchmates from plunging into the sea. Short video clip shot by VK for you. Please pardon the camera shake.
Coming out of the sea, cold wind was biting. The teeth started to chatter while I shot the video below. Feel the chill and enjoy.
Beaches tell us to take a pause in life. Pause to reflect, pause to admire Nature. Pause to hear your inner voice.
Cleanliness
Entry to the beach is ticketed and visitors are fined for littering etc. It ensures cleanliness and upkeep of the beach.
Sustainable Coastal Ecosystem
Golden Beach at Puri meets the criteria of sustainable ecosystem. A two-km long walkway along the beach is a treat. With casuarinas to arrest the coastal winds and sand erosion, the walkway has been well conceived and maintained by a Beach Management Committee (BMC). The workers take pride in donning the BMC uniform.
The video below shows the sustaiable ecosystem including the amphitheatre. Whole beach is neat and clean. It can be done in India. Go Puri go!
Environmental Education
The beach has signages which bring out the words of advice from marine environment very imaginatively. See the pictures below.
Safety and First Aid
The beach caters for all safety aspects. There are life guards both male and female on the beach. In fact after kashi and I entered the water and were swimming afar, we heard a whistle. Someone was asking us not to swim. We ignored. This time two people blew their whistles. They were the life guards. We had entered the sea in a non-safe zone unknowingly. We later came to know that the safe zones are marked with a pair of yellow flags. Thankfully they did not fine us for the default. The beach has a proper first aid post.
The deadwood which gets washed ashore on a clean beach is left undisturbed. One such piece looked like a giant crab. See the picture below.
The Golden Beach is not very far from Jagannath temple in Puri. See the map below. We also visited Satapada for dolphin sighting in Chilka lake, which will be another story.
Our earlier story of two Blue flag certified beaches, can be accessed through the links below: Although Ghumakkad has been to four other certified beaches in Lakshadweep, Vizag and Kerala, I did not have digital camera then for posting the corresponding picture stories.
Radhanagar Beach - In Andamans, where the voice of the sea speaks to your soul.
Chandrabhaga Beach - Picture story with video clips of a Blue Flag awarded beach in India.
Visit to a beach is so rejuvenating. If alone, you can speak to your self and hear your inner voice. If in a group, the whole group gets recharged. So, go ahead and plan a vacation at a beach. If it is blue flag certified, you are assured of the cleanliness and safety.
We end with a quotation by Martin Buber who said 'Solitude is the place of purification'. See the PQ of the beach at Surya Lanka near Bapatla in Andhra Pradesh below.
Thanks for browsing and stay connected. Do leave a comment, even a word or two will encourage us.
- Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/ Secunderabad/ 30th Jan 2026
