LITERATEUR IN UNIFORM

It is always a pleasure to meet a “Literateur” in Uniform.

Last weekend I attended the PUNE INTERNATIONAL LITERARY FESTIVAL 2015 – PILF2015

I was pleasantly surprised to meet a Military General avidly participating in the Literary Festival and he even presided at a book launch.

This reminded me of a “literary” boss I came across during my long career in the Navy.

I had written a post about him in my blog earlier – around 2 years ago in October 2013.

Let me delve into my “Humor in Uniform” Archives and pull out this article for you to read:

“LITERATEUR” IN UNIFORM

Unforgettable Memories of My Wonderful Navy Life

A Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

When I was in the Navy – I once had a “literary” boss.

Yes – you may be surprised – since you may think that “faujis” have their brains in their boots – but I came across plenty of accomplished creative persons in the Navy – writers, artists, cartoonists, singers, musicians, dramatists, actors, painters, photographers – and I have seen many such talented persons in the Army and Air Force too.

“Sir – I hope you haven’t forgotten about the ‘open mic’ session on Friday evening,” I said, after my customary Monday morning meeting with the Boss. 

I was referring to the ‘open mic’ session at the arts and literary festival which was going on nearby.

“Of course – I will be there to read my poetry – and I am keen to hear poems of all the poets too,” he said.

“I have already sent our names, Sir – we will get ten minutes each. The venue is the David Sassoon Library Gardens – it is opposite the Jehangir Art Gallery. The event starts at 6 in the evening,” I said.

“You take me there – pick me up from my office on Friday evening – I will bring my civvies along and we will walk down there,” he said.

On Friday morning – my Boss called me to his office.

“Do me a favour – can you read my poems this evening at the poetry reading session?” he asked.

Before I could speak – he handed me a diary – and he said, “I have flagged three of my best poems – but you can choose a few more if there is time.”

“What’s wrong, Sir – why aren’t you coming yourself? Don’t you want to read your own poems?” I asked.

“Of course I want to be there and read my poems – and I want to hear all the poets too. But something important has come up – and I cannot come to the Kala Ghoda Festival this evening,” he said.

“Sir – what can be more important than this poetry session – especially for a poet like you?” I asked.

“Some bloody delegation has come – and there is a cocktail party for them,” he said.

“I know, Sir – the circular came on Wednesday – but I am skipping it,” I said.

“You can skip it – but I cannot skip it. After all – I am a bloody Admiral – and my absence will be conspicuous – in fact – I did try to wriggle out – but COS said that CinC wants all Flag Officers to attend,” the Rear Admiral said, looking quite disappointed.

Next morning he called me to his office – and he wanted to know all about the poetry reading session.

I told him everything – what an enriching literary experience it had been – and how much his poems had been appreciated.

“Sir – I wish you were there – people had come from all over – and there was such excellent work being read – and – Sir – so many poets wanted to meet you and discuss your poems,” I said.

“I wish I had been there,” he said, disappointment writ on his face.

“How was the cocktail party?” I asked, trying to cheer him up.

“It was like all bloody official cocktail parties – bloody waste of time – the same boring shop talk – and do you know – all the while – I was thinking of you enjoying in the Kala Ghoda Festival,” he said.

“Never mind, Sir – maybe next year…” I said.

“Who knows where I will be next year? If they don’t promote me – I may even retire this year and go to my hometown. I am really regretting that I missed this once in a lifetime chance,” he said with disappointment.

He looked quite dejected – so I did not say anything.

Then he looked at me and said, “You are lucky – you can still do what you want in your leisure – but ever since I became a senior officer – I have lost control of how to spend my time.”

As I walked back to my office – I wondered about the irony of the situation.

Though he was the Boss – he did not have any control on how to spend his time.

And though I was not a “Big Boss” – I had control on my time to a much larger extent

And – this loss of control on his time was making the Boss unhappy.

MORAL OF THE STORY

This rather trivial incident taught me one thing:

IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY – YOU MUST TAKE CONTROL OF THE WAY YOU SPEND YOUR TIME

Once you have taken control of your time – you are free to spend your time in doing things which make you happy.

So – the “Moral of the Story” is simple:

“The ultimate test of true freedom is when you have complete control of your time”

So – gaining control over your Time is the first step towards Freedom and Happiness.

VIKRAM KARVE

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Disclaimer:

1. This story is a spoof, satire, 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 stories 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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This Story was written by me Vikram Karve around 2 years on 18 October 2013 and First Posted Online by me Vikram Karve in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog at10/18/2013 11:39:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/10/how-to-be-happy-first-step-to-happiness.html  and revised and reposted on 08 July 2015 at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/humor-in-uniform-time-freedom-happiness.html