To conserve energy chopped vegetables are stocked along with milk, bread and cheese. Tinned food is also available but it is not used too often because of the Indian palate. The men have to be very careful while dumping empty cans, for they can be a giveaway for someone on a covert mission. There is already the experience of the Pakistani submarine Ghazi which was downed off the Vizag coast in 1971, after fishermen noticed cans floating in water. For a break from the routine the men read, watch videos and play at cards.
Musical competitions are organised and the best team wins a token prize and a little flag.
The cooking competitions are the most eagerly awaited. Damage control drills, maintenance of equipment and three-hour watches every six hours leave the men with little time for anything else. After touring the wonder machine one, gets the feeling that these men are the toughest around. Life on the submarine is never free from danger. I might be about to bunk in when I hear that the sub is diving to depths of 150 or 200 feet.