Raipur, June 12 -- Amidst the West Asia crisis and escalating tensions in the Gulf region, the Indian sailors stranded at sea witnessed a "war-like situation" unfolding with missiles and drones flying past them.

Rudransh Chaubey, a young Merchant Navy Trainee Navigation Officer from Chhattisgarh, recalls that in the early days of the conflict, an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear prevailed among the 22 crew members on board. However, guidelines received from the Government of India gave them the courage to overcome the difficult situation.

Now safely back home, Rudransh regards that period as the most challenging and instructive experience of his life.

Chaubey told ANI, "I first joined my ship in Egypt in December 2025. We entered the...