The Indian Navy was in the news recently for driving away Somalian pirates. We are proud of their effort. It was about time maritime nations got tough with them otherwise they were taking a lot of ships for a ride..or is that phrase applicable only for what happens on land.
An interest in the Navy and matters naval had been there with me ever since I was a kid. At School (The Lawrence School, Lovedale) I was in the NCC Naval Wing. The school master in charge of the Naval troop was Mr. V. Hariharan- known more widely as “Foxy”.
At a naval camp, we were being rowed, I repeat rowed , in a boat to visit a Indian Navy ship. God knows how but one of our chaps managed to fall into the water. The easiest thing to do would have been to lean over and hold his hand. However, in what he thought was the finest traditions of the Navy, “Foxy” stood up, almost bent double and like the Captain of a large aircraft carrier cupped his hands and bellowed in his version of the Old Sea Dog voice : “Man Overboard”!
