Visakhapatnam – Scindia Shipyard – May 16th, 1948
Unlike the Middle east, which is in chaos, in India, today was a day of immense importance. For today, India will launch its very own steam-powered cargo ship.
The morning air along Visakhapatnam's coast carried more than just the usual scent of salt and fish. Today, it hummed with the metallic tang of fresh steel and the electric anticipation of history in the making.
The sprawling Scindia Shipyard, Walchand Hirachand's monument to Indian enterprise, buzzed with activity as workers made final preparations for a moment that would mark India's emergence as a maritime power.
Prime Minister Arjun Mehra stood on the specially constructed viewing platform, his gaze fixed on the magnificent vessel dominating the slipway before him.
The SS Jala Usha, an 8,000-tonne steam cargo ship with a hull that gleamed like polished silver in the morning sun, represented far more than just another addition to India's merchant fleet.
This was a declaration that India, which had secured its land borders, is now ready to master the waves on its own terms.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Sardar Patel's voice carried a note of genuine admiration as he joined Arjun at the platform's edge.
Behind them, Finance Minister Vishwajeet Rao Kelkar and Planning Minister G.B. Pant engaged in quiet conversation about the economic implications of the project.
"More than beautiful," Arjun replied, his eyes tracing the vessel's impressive lines. "She's freedom made manifest. Four hundred and fifteen feet of pure Indian engineering."
Walchand Hirachand, the visionary industrialist whose dream had made this moment possible, approached with obvious pride radiating from every step.
His weathered face bore the satisfaction of a man who had seen his impossible dream transformed into gleaming reality.
"Prime Minister," Walchand said, his voice thick with emotion, "after nearly eighteen months of relentless work, she's ready. The first major shipbuilding achievement of free India. Every rivet, every plate, all made by Indian hands."
Arjun nodded, his mind cataloging the vessel's specifications. The 2,600 HP steam engine capable of 11 knots, the 8,179 DWT cargo capacity, the 52-foot beam, this wasn't just a coastal freighter.
This was a ship capable of carrying India's goods across the world's oceans.
A fleeting thought crossed his mind. In another timeline, it would have been Nehru standing here, launching this vessel with speeches about industrial progress and self-reliance.
"Jala Usha (Water Dawn)," Arjun murmured, translating the ship's name. "How fitting."
The shipyard manager, a nervous man in a crisp white uniform, approached with obvious hesitation.
"Prime Minister, all preparations are complete for the launch. The slipway is ready, though I must mention our engineers had to devise a rather... unconventional solution for ensuring a smooth slide."
Arjun's attention sharpened. "How so?"
The manager glanced at Walchand Hirachand, then back at Arjun. "Well, sir, we needed something that would guarantee the hull would slide smoothly into the water. Traditional grease alone wasn't sufficient for a vessel of this size, so our engineers got... creative."
"Creative?" Patel interjected, his eyebrows raised.
"Approximately 30,000 bananas along with tallow and soft soap, Sardar-ji. They were crushed and mixed with grease. It created an extremely effective lubricant, though admittedly one that's never been used for a ship launch before."
A moment of silence fell over the group. Then, unexpectedly, Arjun let out a dry chuckle. Even Patel's stern expression cracked into what might have been a smile.
"Thirty thousand bananas," Arjun repeated, shaking his head. "Leave it to Indian ingenuity to find a solution that's both practical and completely unprecedented."
"If it works, Prime Minister," Walchand Hirachand said with a grin, "it's genius."
"Indeed," Arjun agreed. "Let's proceed with the launch."
The ceremony began with traditional Vedic chants, the ancient blessings mingling with the excited shouts of shipyard workers and the cheers of the public gathered behind the security barriers. Arjun felt the weight of the moment as he stepped forward to the command stand.
This was different from the political rallies and diplomatic chambers where he usually operated. Here, surrounded by the honest sweat of workers and the tangible achievement of Indian industry, he felt connected to something fundamental about the nation he was building.
Arjun placed his hand on the launch lever, feeling the cool metal beneath his palm. With a decisive motion, he pushed it down.
The effect was immediate and magnificent. The enormous hull, guided by its unlikely banana-and-grease lubricant, began to slide down the slipway. Slowly at first, then with gathering momentum, the SS Jala Usha glided toward the water like a metallic bird taking flight.
The crowd held its breath as the vessel hit the water with a tremendous splash that sent spray high into the air. The ship's horn blasted a triumphant salute, and the gathered thousands erupted in thunderous applause.
Arjun watched the vessel settle into the water, her hull riding the waves with the grace of a natural-born seafarer. A profound sense of satisfaction washed over him.
This was what true power looked like, not just the ability to destroy, but the capacity to create, to build, to transform dreams into reality.
As the immediate excitement began to subside and the dignitaries prepared to move to the reception area, Arjun lingered beside Walchand Hirachand.
"Hirachand-ji, I heard that Scindia Shipyards had a proposal for full nationalisation?" Arjun asked quietly, his voice carrying the weight of future plans.
[A/N: I added this myself, originally Scindia Shipyards decided to do it after Hirachand's death in 1953. And it would eventually be know as Hindustan Shipyard]
"Government is ready to acquire the company in the near future. It'll serve as a centre to India's maritime security. We'll develop not just cargo vessels, but also our future warships. The navy of tomorrow will be built right here."
Walchand Hirachand's eyes shone with understanding.
"In that case, I'll prepare the negotiating team, Prime Minister."
Hearing this, Arjun nodded.
"The SS Jala Usha is just the beginning," Arjun continued, his gaze fixed on the vessel now floating proudly in the harbor. "Soon, these waters will launch destroyers, cruisers, perhaps even aircraft carriers. India will be a maritime power to be reckoned with."
As the official ceremonies concluded and the crowd began to disperse, Arjun remained on the platform for a few more minutes, watching the Jala Usha bob gently in the harbor.
A new day was breaking over India's maritime ambitions, and like everything else in this transformed nation, it would be achieved on India's own terms.
The hull of destiny had found its waters, and the voyage toward India's maritime independence had officially begun.