Submarine facts The recent disaster of Suraksha and loss of life in a devastng fire has aroused interest I was once inside a staionary sub on display, but was feeling suffocated and wanted out at the earliest. It is a cramped space, one has to bend moving through the hatches.I do not think I ever want to visit again There is no standing place The claustrobhic conditions are most daunting. women are not emlisted, mostly because of privacy.Mostly the small size is 9X10X10m It is a silent service diving below 300 metres for months together.No communication with outside world and family.Emails are limited of late It is not for the faint hearted.They are tested rigoursly for physical, mental , psychological, emotional factors, The meals are not very attractive due to lack of fresh supplies and satorage space, Restriction on use of distilled water for showers and shaves.They sleep in bunkers and working shift of six hours.Life is hard to endure ,loneliness and lack of contact with the outside world They are paid better than other services as a compensation for the conditions of service. The leave is for 40 days usually, so that they can plan their family life, as best as they can It is not a glamourised service advertised widely for recruitment Exercise is difficult and limited toilets facilities.A doctor is a must on submarine. They ca be called back to duty at a moments notice without any indications of movements or durations. Living in cramped quaters, without natural light, and contact with even the close family causes a lot of mental stress The process of selection in various department, training etc are not widely known for any one wanting to serve in this service, Serving in nuclear submarines is another matter of dserious risk factors They are just shut o job For normal land base jobs, it is like a virtual prison atmosphere Those who serve the Nation in these assignments are protectors of citizens in difficult circumstances, We need to salute the martyrs of submarine tragedy and extend our sympathy to the bereaved families Nelson Lopes chinchinim
