HUMOUR IN UNIFORM
“APRIL FOOL”
Delightful Memories of My Navy Life
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Today is the 28th of March – just 3 days away from 1st of April – April Fool’s Day
April Fool’s Day (also known as All Fools’ Day) is celebrated annually on the first day of April.
It is a time for the traditional playing of pranks on unsuspecting people – the victim of such a prank being called an April Fool.
One of my weaknesses is my trusting nature – I easily trust people.
Because of my simple trusting nature it is easy for anyone to take me for a ride – yes – you can easily make a fool of me – and – I have been made an “April Fool” so many times right from my childhood.
In fact – owing to my trusting nature I a simpleton – quite a gullible person – and therefore – a prime target for April Fool Pranks.
When I hark back and think of the occasions when I was made an unsuspecting victim of April Fool Jokes – and when I recall all the April Fool Pranks I was subjected to – I can never forget how I was made a total “April Fool” – 32 years ago – on the 1st of April 1983.
Here is my “April Fool” story – have a laugh...
HOW I WAS MADE AN “APRIL FOOL” – a “Memoir” by VIKRAM KARVE
01 April 1983
It was 10 AM (1000 Hrs in Navy Parlance) on the 1st of April 1983 – and I busy with my research work in IIT Delhi.
(Yes – after slogging for 5 years in the Navy – afloat and ashore – I was selected to undergo the prestigious 2 year M. Tech. post graduate course in Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology New Delhi aka IIT Delhi from July 1981 to July 1983)
It was the last (4th) semester of my 2 year M.Tech. Course – and I was busy with my dissertation work.
My ex-shipmate entered the Tropo Lab.
He was also doing M. Tech. at IIT Delhi – but in a different specialization.
He said excitedly, “Hey Vikram – congratulations – your appointment has come – you will be going to IAT Pune after your M. Tech.”
I was very happy and joyfully excited to hear this.
Pune is my hometown.
I had never expected a posting to Pune in my naval career – as I thought that – except for a few billets at NDA – there were hardly any billets for naval officers in Pune – especially for technical officers.
In fact – I was worried that they may transfer me back to INS Valsura Jamnagar – where I had spent less than one year (1980-81) on instructional duties – before escaping from there as I was selected for my M. Tech. at IIT Delhi – and I had no desire of going back to that godforsaken place again.
“You don’t seem to be happy?” my friend said.
“I am very happy,” I said, “but how do you know about my appointment?”
“I had gone to INS India Supply Office for some work. I saw your name in a NA List over there. I have just come from there and I came straight here to tell you the good news.”
[Those days Naval Headquarters (NHQ) published a weekly Navy Appointments (NA) List which listed all appointments (transfers/postings) issued during that week]
“What about you? Is your name in the NA list? Has your new appointment come too?” I asked him.
“No – I saw only your name in the NA list. Why don’t you go down to NHQ and personally get your appointment letter?” he prompted.
As I said – I was really delighted to be transferred to Pune – my hometown.
So – so I immediately drove down on my scooter to NHQ.
First – I went to INS India Supply Office – and I checked the NA List folder.
Yes – my name was very much there – at Serial No. 12 of the list of 20 names – and entry in the NA list said that I was appointed on instructional duties to IAT Pune July DTBR.
I wrote down the relevant details of the NA list.
Then – I went to the Base Supply Officer – and I asked him if my appointment letter had come.
The Base Supply Officer called for the NA List folder – he looked at the NA List – and he said, “This NA list has just been issued. It will take some time for the letter to reach here. They take their own sweet time to dispatch the letters. Why don’t you go across to DOP and get your personal copy?”
(DOP was the acronym for Director of Personnel)
Those days we were very scared to go anywhere near DOP – because they were always on the prowl looking for “murgas” to transfer to “kala pani” – and other such remote places.
But I was so excited – that I drew up courage – and I walked into the office of the DDOP who looked after our appointments.
I was delighted to see an officer who I knew very well sitting in the chair of DDOP – he was a course-mate of my previous ship’s XO.
He used to visit our ship often – and we had spent many evenings drinking together.
The DDOP too was happy to see me.
He told me that he had just taken over as DDOP just a day earlier on the 31st of March.
He enquired about me – about my M. Tech. course – and then he asked me what I wanted.
I told him the story – gave him details of the NA List – and asked him if I could have a copy of my appointment letter.
He called his deputy – handed him the chit with NA List details – and told him to give me a copy of my appointment letter.
The officer looked at the NA list – and looking confused, he said, “Sir, we haven’t yet issued any appointment letters for officers doing M. Tech. at IITs – anyway I will just check and get back to you, Sir.”
After a few minutes he came back and said, “The NA list with this number has still not been issued.”
“What? How can that be?” the DDOP said.
Then the DDOP looked at me – and he said, “Are you sure you saw the NA list in the INS India Supply Office?”
“Yes,” I said, “it is right on top in the NA list folder in the base supply office.”
The DDOP picked up the phone and he dialled a number.
He seemed to be speaking to the Base Supply Officer.
The DDOP read out the number of the NA list – then waited for some time – then he listened to the voice on the other side – and then he said to me, “Just go down to the Base Supply Office and get the NA list folder – I want to get to the bottom of this.”
As I was leaving – I could hear him speak on the phone, “I am sending the officer to you…”
The moment I reached the hutments where the Base Supply Office was located – I found a big gang of my friends waiting outside for me with broad smiles on their faces.
Among my friends – standing prominently with a big smile on his face – was the Captain of my previous ship (now a Commodore posted in NHQ) – and it was he who had orchestrated the whole practical joke.
I knew I had been made an “April Fool”.
That afternoon – I had to treat everyone to beer in the INS India wardroom – and the DDOP and Base Supply Officer (who were also parties to the “April Fool” prank) also joined in the “elbow bending” PLD session for a glass of chilled beer.
EPILOGUE
During the PLD beer session – I put on a mask of cheerfulness – but deep inside I was feeling terrible.
I think the Commodore (my ex ship’s CO) and the DDOP noticed this – so they asked me for my choice of transfer on completion of my M. Tech.
“IAT Pune,” I said tongue-in-cheek, “but if that is not possible then anywhere except Jamnagar.”
Three months later – I was transferred to a billet in New Delhi as an Asst Director in R&D.
Two years later – in June 1985 – one day – out of the blue – I saw an appointment letter placed on my table.
I had been appointed for instructional duties to IAT Pune July DTBR.
Was it as a recompense for the “April Fool” prank – from the DDOP and my ex ship’s CO – and all those who had played the “April Fool” joke on me?
All is well that ends well.
HAPPY ALL FOOLS’ DAY
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
1. This story is a spoof, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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