Tempest: A Celebration of Cadet Spirit and DMET legacy

Directorate of Marine Engineering and Training (DMET), now the Indian Maritime University – Kolkata Campus, has long stood as a beacon of maritime excellence. Among its most enduring traditions is Tempest, the annual marine festival that has, since its inception in 1973, grown into the largest and most prestigious maritime fest in the world.

Held in the month of February, Tempest is an embodiment of the institution's unwavering commitment to holistic development integrating technical proficiency, cultural expression, and physical fitness into the cadet experience.

The Importance of Tempest in Maritime Education

Tempest serves a purpose far beyond that of a conventional college fest. In an institution grounded in discipline, academic rigour, and operational training, Tempest offers a structured platform for creative thought, leadership, and collaborative execution.

• It encourages cadets to apply their technical knowledge in real-world simulations and competitions.

• It cultivates essential soft skills such as project management, public speaking, and strategic planning.

• It fosters camaraderie across batches, institutions, and industry representatives, strengthening professional networks.

Tempest is not merely an event. It is a critical component of the experiential learning process that prepares cadets for the dynamic demands of the global maritime industry.

A Showcase of Dedication: Cadets Behind the Curtain

What distinguishes Tempest from other collegiate festivals is the cadet-led model of planning and execution. Every component from logistics to sponsorship, hospitality to security, digital outreach to event management is managed by cadets with exceptional professionalism and accountability.

Balancing the demanding schedule of marine engineering education with the responsibilities of organizing a fest of this scale requires discipline, perseverance, and meticulous time management. Months of planning go into every minute of Tempest. Cadets demonstrate:

• Effective leadership and delegation in cross-functional teams

• Problem-solving under pressure, especially during live events

• Stakeholder engagement, including industry sponsors, faculty, alumni, and media partners

• Innovation and technical excellence, visible in the design and execution of competitions

Through their efforts, cadets gain firsthand experience in project execution — an invaluable asset in their future maritime careers.

Tempest : Highlights of an Unforgettable Edition

With the theme "PROPULSION – The Technical Saga of Tempest’25", this year’s fest offered a comprehensive blend of events across three primary domains:

1. Technical Events

Featuring competitions such as:

• Drone Voyage (aerial navigation challenges)

• Bot Ball and Beat the Trail (robotics engineering)

• Talk-A-Tech (technical presentations solving real-world maritime challenges)

• Dare to Sail (model ship design and testing)

• La Marina (intercollegiate maritime quiz)

These events not only stimulated innovation but also provided cadets and participants from other institutions with a platform to showcase their engineering aptitude.

2. Cultural Events (Cacophony)

Events included:

• Campus Queen, graced by Miss Universe India 2024, Rhea Singha in TEMPEST 2025

• Knockdown (rap battles), Hoedown (dance contests), Razzmataz (ramp walks)

• Lumina (short film competition), Group Dance, and Arty Face

The cultural segment allowed cadets to express creativity, fostering team spirit and artistic engagement within a professionally managed framework.

3. Sports Events (Chakravyuh)

Participants competed in:

• Football, Cricket, Volleyball, Basketball, Kabaddi

• Swimming, Chess, Table Tennis, Badminton, and Hockey

These tournaments instilled a spirit of healthy competition and physical excellence—core values of cadetship and maritime life.

Alumni Night: Honouring the Past, Inspiring the Future

The festival concluded with a grand Alumni Night. The occasion brought together alumni from various batches for a day of sports, family engagements, and a ceremonial cultural tribute.

The highlight of the evening was the Award Ceremony, which recognized the exemplary contributions of distinguished alumni to the maritime sector. Through reflective interactions and celebrations, the event reinforced the shared legacy and unbroken chain of excellence spanning generations of DMETians.

Conclusion: Tempest as a Pillar of DMET’s Identity

Tempest continues to be a defining element of the DMET/IMU-Kolkata experience. It nurtures technical competence, fosters leadership, and celebrates the cultural and sporting spirit that strengthens cadet identity.

More importantly, it offers a unique opportunity for cadets to step beyond their routine, take ownership of large-scale responsibilities, and emerge as well-rounded professionals.

To alumni, faculty, and the global maritime community, Tempest is a reminder of the transformative power of cadet life, and the importance of nurturing this tradition for generations to come.

Cadet Urjita Bisht (Roll No. 10377)

2nd Year B.Tech Marine Engineering, IMU Kolkata Campus

A passionate mariner and an avid reader, finding rhythm between the roar of the sea and the silence of books.