On 31st July, the Indian Maritime University – Navi Mumbai Campus (T.S. Chanakya) welcomed 225 new cadets to its B.Sc. Nautical Science and Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) programmes, marking the beginning of their professional maritime journey.
Selected through the IMU Common Entrance Test (CET), these aspiring officers were accompanied by their proud families as they participated in the Cadet Induction process, held at one of India’s most respected maritime training institutions—whose legacy traces back nearly a century to Training Ship Dufferin (1927).
A Legacy Renewed
The session was presided over by Capt. Mihir Chandra, Director of IMU Navi Mumbai (TS CHANAKYA), who welcomed the cadets and their families with an inspiring address. Capt. Chandra highlighted the rich lineage of the institution— from T.S. Dufferin to T.S. Rajendra and T.S. Chanakya—now carried forward under the IMU banner. He emphasized the transformative nature of maritime training and the values of discipline, resilience, and lifelong learning.
Alumni Engagement: A Living Tradition
As part of the induction, a panel of alumni members of the DRACEA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE—representing multiple generations of India’s maritime training legacy—addressed the incoming batch:
- Capt (Dr) Rajesh Tandon, President of DRACEA (Dufferin Rajendra & Chanakya Ex-Cadets Association) and alumnus of the 1973-75 T.S. Rajendra batch, shared his personal journey from cadetship to command and leadership roles ashore. He underscored the importance of hard work, discipline, and integrity, and reminded the cadets that they would form part of the Centenary Celebrations in 2027, marking 100 years since the founding of T.S. Dufferin.
- Capt Sudarsan Srinivasan (1988 batch) presented a powerful historical video montage capturing the essence and evolution of maritime officer training in India. He introduced a simple but profound ABCDEF mantra for cadets:
A – Accept expectations and adjust
B – Believe in the system, institution, family, and self
C – Communicate effectively to learn and grow
D – Discipline is key to success
E – Enjoy your journey at IMU and in the maritime profession
F – Family support is vital for long-term success
- Capt Raghvendra Raghav (1993 batch) encouraged the cadets to carry forward the traditions of excellence set by generations before them.
- Capt Rohan Sabnis (2002 batch), joining virtually from Pune, spoke about the evolving nature of the maritime industry and the skills and mindset required to thrive in a modern seafaring career.
Bridging the Past and Future
The event concluded with an open interaction session, allowing cadets and their families to connect with faculty and alumni. The atmosphere was one of pride, camaraderie, and inspiration—setting a strong foundation for the cadets as they begin their academic and professional voyage.
This induction ceremony also marked the beginning of a renewed effort to strengthen alumni-cadet engagement, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 centenary of maritime officer training in India.
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A Message from DRACEA (Capt Tandon photo)
Capt (Dr) Rajesh Tandon, President of DRACEA, shared his reflections during the event:
“Returning to the campus and meeting the new batch of cadets brought back a flood of memories. For many of us, this institution was where it all began—our values, our friendships, our identity as seafarers. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility for us, as alumni, to give back to our alma mater and support the next generation. DRACEA remains committed to strengthening this connection and carrying forward the legacy with pride.”