Dear Members,

1. With profound grief and sorrow we regret to inform the demise of Capt Prafulla Chandra Bhate (Retd ) (00825Z), aged 77 yrs. He was ill with Motor Neurone Disease or ALS disease, with no known cause, treatment or cure, which he patiently borne for over three years and passed away at a local hospital in the early morning of 28 Aug.

2. Captain Bhate was from the 31st Course NDA and was commissioned in Jul 1968 in the Executive Branch. He successfully completed his Watchkeeping onboard INS Mysore.

3. Capt Bhate joined the Submarine Arm in 1970 and served onboard INS Khanderi that played a very active role during the 1971 War.

4. He had served onboard Submarines INS Kalvari, Vela and Karanj during his illustrious career. He underwent the Long TAS specialization course in 1974. He later served as the Executive Officer INS Kalvari. Subsequently he Commanded INS Vagsheer, INS Vela and had the distinction of being the Commissioning Commanding Officer of the first German SSK Submarine INS Shishumar which he Commanded until March 1988.

5. On promotion to the rank of Captain, he was appointed Base Captain, Submarine Base, Mumbai, now known as INS Vajrabahu. He retired in the year 1991.

6. Capt Prafulla Chandra Bhate is survived by his wife Mrs Jyotsna Bhate and two sons who are at US. The last rites were performed at Vaikuntha Crematorium, Navi Peth, Pune.

7. On behalf of the President and all members of NFPC, we offer our deepest condolences and pray to God Almighty to give strength and fortitude to Mrs Jyotsna Bhate and the family members to bear this irreplaceable loss.

NOK Mrs Jyotsna Bhate 9326868160

-Team NFPC