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The
T.S."Chanakya's" two predecessor
training institutions were both ships. It was then largely believed
that a large number of Indian boys who may opt for a career in the
merchant navy may not have seen either the sea or the ship. A ship
as a training institution would be useful in orienting these boys
to a life at sea. This objective was fully achieved by the "Dufferin"
and the "Rajendra".
By the
time replacement of "Rajendra" was beginning to be considered,
India had acquired maritime status and other good reputation achieved
by the alumni of the "Dufferin" and "Rajendra",
merchant navy as a career had achieved popularity and aspiring candidates
were no stranger to the sea or ships. Further more, while a ship
board training institution had the advantages mentioned above it
had also certain service disadvantages such as cost of maintenance
and inflexibility in capacity expansion.
Therefore
opinion veered to the idea that "Rajendra's" replacement
should be a shore based academy.
For
the training to be realistic the academy would have to be provided
with all facilities that would be available on a ship and in addition,
facilities for personality and character development. Large area
would be needed for this purpose which could not be had in this
old city of Bombay. C.I.D.C.O was therefore approached and about
40 acres of land near Nerul was purchased for Rs.72 lakhs.
The academy
was to have large play fields, swimming pool, garden area, hostel
accommodation for 250 cadets with provisions for expanding the capacity
by a further 250 capacity; scholastic block housing class rooms,
assembly hall, library, laboratories, computer rooms etc.; and other
buildings.
On
5th April 1993 the shore based academy was commissioned and named
"Chanakya", after 'Chanakya', the great scholar and economist
in the Court of the King Chandragupta Maurya and also author of
the book 'Kautilya Artha Shastra'. Carrying on from where
"Rajendra" left off T.S."Chanakya" imparts
training in two streams; one the three year degree course and the
three months short term course for Company sponsored cadets. Admission
to the degree course is through joint entrance examination of the
IIT and an interview. 90 cadets are admitted to the degree course
per year.
Equipped
with the latest ship board equipment and navigational aids and inheriting
the time tested traditions of the predecessor Training Ship "Dufferin"
and "Rajendra", the "Chanakya" is fully geared
to meet the requirements of the shipping industry. With it's emphasis
on character as well as vocational training the alumni of the "Chanakya"
will also bring glory and fame to the Alma Mater and the Country.
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Rajendra
