Come 1st June ’10 and we were ready to attend the reception organized by the Indian Embassy onboard INS Jyoti. The venue was Pier 13, South Harbour, Manila Port. The reception was scheduled at 6 in the evening. As soon as Mifu was over with his classes, we dressed up quickly and joined the Chisties who were also invited at the event. As the dress code had been mentioned on the invitation card, Mifu wore his black suit while I put on a salwar suit.
Hailing a cab, all of us headed for the port. It was a weekday & traffic was quite heavy. But the driver used some short cut routes and very soon we were driving through Roxas Boulevard towards Manila Port. Once we entered the port, we could see a number of passengers queuing up to buy tickets for the ferries that sail to the innumerable islands of the Philippines. Ferries are a popular mode of transport for the locals visiting different islands as air travel is unaffordable for many. We asked a security guard about Pier 13 and then proceeded in the direction he showed us. The port of Manila is a huge one. Finally, we reached the pier and saw an Indian naval officer t the check gate. The cab was not allowed beyond that point and so we alighted. The officer checked our names in the list of invitees. He then requested us to board a bus that would take us near the ship. In the next ten minutes, we were standing before the majestic INS Jyoti with the Indian Tricolor fluttering proudly in the Filipino wind. A couple of officers escorted us to the deck and as we moved up the stairs, young sailors welcomed us with a salute!!
Up we climbed to the upper deck where the reception would be held. A banquet table was already laid out with various snacks. Drinks were already pouring in for the guests when we arrived. We selected our choice of soft drinks and looked around to see any familiar face. Mifu spotted Mr. Gyan Singh who works at the Indian Embassy. Mr. Singh’s wife & daughter had accompanied him. Very soon we could see more Indians arriving at the reception. Most of the Indians were employees of the Embassy, besides a few prominent businessmen and a couple of doctors as well. It was nice to see the ladies dressed up in sarees or salwar suits for the occasion! We could see a number of officers from the Philippines Navy also. The ship’s captain gave a welcome address which was followed by the screening of a short film on the voyage of INS Jyoti. Next came a troupe of Chow dancers from West Bengal. The masked dancers with colorful costumes depicted the killing of Mahisasur by Goddess Durga through their performance. Meanwhile, we saw people enjoying the delicacies that were laid out & we joined in.
The food came from the ship’s kitchen, prepared by the resident cook. From mini idlis to crispy mendu vadas, mutton kebabs to chicken tandoori, frankies to fish fingers, there was everything to suit one’s palate. Not to mention the different sauces and chutneys. We ate heartily while enjoying the dance performance. Then a few young sailors belted out some old Hindi film melodies much to everyone’s delight. Interestingly, a naval officer who hailed from Manipur, Mr. Konkam, came forward & introduced himself to us. He said he heard us talking in Assamese and realized that we came from the north east! He was a polite gentleman and familiarized us about the activities that take place in the ship.
A couple of hours passed by and it was time to leave. The kids, Raheel & Zaina, struck poses in front of the tricolor. Both of them were quite excited to be on the massive vessel. We thanked the officers and slowly climbed down the rather steep steel stairs of the ship. Mr. Konkam was waiting for us to bid goodbye. He gave a rose bud to each of the ladies & the kids as we alighted from the deck.
INS Jyoti was supposed to sail from the Manila Port next morning. The experience onboard the ship was a truly memorable one…..
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