INS Valsura is a "stone frigate" (shore establishment) of the Indian Navy in Jamnagar, Gujarat. A premier technological training institution, it houses the Electrical school of the Indian Navy.
History
During World War II, a need was felt to supplement the torpedo handling and operations in India by establishing a torpedo school. Since a torpedo school required waters where torpedo running and depth charge firing could be possible, a suitable location had to be selected. Since Cochin already had multiple establishments, the P-class destroyerHMS Pathfinder (G10) then in India was tasked with scouting a suitable location. Pathfinder found the sea area around Rozi island in Nawanagar State. Rozi Island was already a well-known port and was connected to Jamnagar by road and railway.[1]
After the Independence of India, the torpedo school was moved to Cochin. The Jam Sahib donated another 600 acres for the expansion of the establishment.[4] Since a separate branch for Naval Electrical Engineering was formed in the Navy, the Naval Electrical Engineering school was founded in 1948 at Valsura.[4] On 26 January 1950, India became a republic and the name changed to INS Valsura. Commander D. H. R. Dadabhoy was the first Indian commanding officer.[1]
Today
INS Valsura today houses the electrical equipment school, electrical technology school, basic electrical school, information technology school, center for electronics engineering and the training design and evaluation cell. Valsura was awarded a Special Unit Citation in December 2001, an honour normally reserved for operational units. The base has grown into a large township with a military hospital and schools.[1][5] The commanding officer of the establishment is also the station commander and is a one-star officer with the rank of Commodore.[6]
Crest and motto
The name of the establishment was derived from the combination of two Tamil words Vaalu meaning sword and Sorrah meaning fish. Swordfish was chosen since the Torpedo bomberFairey Swordfish was named so as well as the fact that they were found in the waters off the coast of Saurashtra.[4] The crest of the school showed a swordfish placed amidst two crossed torpedoes and a mine with the Latin motto Valsura Semper Viret, meaning Valsura shall always be victorious.[1]
After India became a republic, in 1950, the crest was changed. The swordfish was shown leaping out from the sea with its head and a large part of its body above water, with three streaks of lightning emanating from its head. The motto was changed to Tasya Bhasa Sarvamidam Vibhati which meant The light that emanates from here, illuminates all, which was taken from the Upanishad.[1]
