Naval war hero passes away in Porvorim

THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Commander Noel Kelman (92), a veteran naval hero who had served in operations during Goa's liberation and subsequently settled in Porvorim, where he was founder member of the Goa Branch of the All India Anglo Indian Association, passed away on August 23.
His funeral took place on Monday afternoon at the Holy Family Church, Porvorim, where he was accorded a 12-man naval guard of honour. The funeral was attended by several serving and retired Naval officers.
Kelman was born in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Karnataka and had a long and illustrious career in the Navy, starting at the tender age of 15.
He joined the Royal Indian Navy as a sailor (boy) during the Second World War. Immediately on joining, he was employed on a naval vessel on escort duties to merchantmen off the coast of North Africa and also the Bay of Bengal.
At the end of the war, whilst operating off Japan, Kelman won laurels in casting adrift a Japanese submarine, tied to his ship HMIS Sutlej.
The submarine was to be sunk later but could not be freed, due to high sea states. He jumped on board the submarine and cut her adrift, winning for himself a King's commendation. This act of courage was when he was just an Ordinary Seaman at the very lowest rung of service, when he was just about 18-19 years old.
His finest moment, though, was in 1961, during the liberation of Goa, when he was involved in an operation to flush out the Portuguese from Anjadiva Island. The boat, in which he was making the assault, came under heavy fire and three of his sailors were killed and he himself took two bullets, in both his legs.
Kelman however continued to fight and his determination resulted in the Portuguese being neutralised. For this action, in the face of the enemy he was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, Second Class, now called the Kirti Chakra. Kelman was the first recipient of the Kirti Chakra in Indian Navy and among the first batch of awardees in Independent India.
Former chief of naval staff Admiral Madhvendra Singh, who was possibly a midshipman at that time, in a message recollects, “He and I were on the Mysore during the assault on Anjadiva Island and I saw him coming up the accommodation ladder of Mysore, with blood oozing from both his legs. A brave man and a thorough gentleman. May he rest in peace.”
Over time, Noel Kelman rose to the rank of Commander. A person who had joined the aervice as a boy retired as a brass hat, indicating his commitment, zeal and devotion to the service.
He retired to Goa, with his wife Pat. Some poetic justice there that he settled in the same place in whose liberation he had played a leading role. He was a founder member of the Goa Branch of the All India Anglo Indian Association. He celebrated his 90th birthday in 2017
While offering its heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, the Navy has paid homage to Commander Kelman's bravery and courage, “which is a great example to the Naval personnel of today and tomorrow,” going to the extent of calling him a national hero.