Pradeep Baokar joined 56 NDA in Delta Squadron. He was the Squadron crooner of our course whose favourite number was that foot tapping song by Runa Laila (mast kalander).

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Pradeep Baokar joined 56 NDA in Delta Squadron. He was the Squadron crooner of our course whose favourite number was that foot-tapping song by Runa Laila (Mast Kalander). His renditions have at times saved the course from punishments. Some times like Nero he crooned while 56 Delta used to front roll. Course mates always have a special place in our hearts, they are never forgotten. Pradeep Baokar, our course mate, always has a special place in our hearts. He was gifted with an excellent voice and had a strong classical music foundation. A great guy, never got angry with any leg-pulling, taking all teasing very sportingly.

Harikumar recollects that Pradeep believed in good things in life and was more inclined to artistic surroundings than engineering angles and structures. He preferred a laid back attitude and during BEC (Basic Engineering Course) at INS Shivaji for 3 years, he remained in his own musical world, participating in functions either impromptu at homes or in social functions. A great mate and ever willing to help out without being asked. Baokar loved his food and could eat much without it affecting his weight. All were very envious of his capacity to enjoy the food without reservations and take life easy and remain fit and fine. After he moved on from Lonavala, he went on to submarines.

During 1985, Prakash Nair along with Tejratnam Rawat met him at Lion Gate. They were in Bombay as part of LGSC tour, and Tej was hoping for some Kraft cheese from a friendly Naval canteen and lo behold we encountered Baokar returning probably after translating his favourite Runa Laila song into Russian. Pradeep took them to his submarine, which was docked nearby. Tej surprisingly slipped through the narrow hatch, and they literally raided the canteen laid open for them by Pradeep Baokar and treated them to a sumptuous lunch with imported canned beer. This encounter must have been more memorable for another coursemate, MMP Jaydev, who could lay his hand on a carton of Rothmans and show off to his smokers' group who had 'jilted' him of his share of cigarettes which they managed from their mates in other ships. Such was the Chappan spirit which even awed the 'Chasatts' (66Reg).

Pradeep was a known singer par excellence. He could belt out gazals and classical music at the drop of a hat, and once in the mood, it was very difficult to stop him. Being a submariner, this probably ensured that when in the depths, the spirit of the ship's company was kept at an all-time high. And when at base his table skills had everybody spellbound, especially when he was a few drinks down.
 
A much-focused professional who the service quickly recognized and put him through the paces every officer would dream of including strategic project work. During his under trainee days he had this passion of wearing his 'Peak Cap' Nazi-style, and despite being caught on various occasions, this habit just didn't seem to go away. However, once he joined his submarine, he quickly changed from the U Boat Cdr to the Allied Russians.
 
In 2013, when DM Deshpande was the Admiral Superintendent in Mumbai, he got a call from Aarti, his wife, saying Pradeep was admitted in a private hospital and needed blood urgently. Pradeep had since retired, and Deshpande said that they could transfer him to our naval hospital Ashwini wherein all requirements would be catered for. The family, however, was keen to continue in the private hospital, so Dehpande organized 10 persons for blood donation for a week. He improved and was to be discharged, but overnight a relapse of an organ failure took place, and poor Pradeep could not come out of it. In that, we lost a Super Submariner, a thorough gentleman and a multi-faceted individual.

His wife Aarti is settled in Pune and their son Ishan, an MBA from IIM, is doing well at a corporate house in Pune.
 
Rest in peace, buddy. We miss you. Penned with inputs from Prakash Nair, P D Deshpande and N Harikumar.

🙏May his soul rest in peace🙏