Humor in Uniform
The Navy has a diverse variety of individuals – with personalities and characters across the spectrum – and – so – I came across many unforgettable characters during my long career in the Navy.
One such unique characters was my “literary” boss.
MY “LITERARY” BOSS
Unforgettable Memories of My Wonderful Navy Life
A Spoof
By
VIKRAM KARVE
When I was in the Navy – I once had a “literary” boss.
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 etc
And – I have seen many such talented persons in the Army and Air Force too.
After our customary Monday morning meeting – I said to my Boss: “Sir – I hope you haven’t forgotten about the ‘open mic’ session on Friday evening...”
I was referring to the ‘open mic’ session at the Arts and Literary Festival which was going on nearby.
My Boss looked at me and said: “Of course – I will be there to read my poetry – and – I am keen to hear poems of all the poets too...”
“I have already sent our names, Sir – we will get 10 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 – my Boss 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 – so – 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 the cocktail party...” 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 – I told him how much his poems had been appreciated.
“Sir – I wish you were there – literary 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
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”
It is true – isn’t it...?
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
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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.
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, 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.
Copyright Notice:
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.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)
10/18/2013 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 and later at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/09/literateur-in-uniform.html
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