Memories of My Navy Life – My “Literary” Boss

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 Kala Ghoda Arts and Literary Festival which was going on nearby at Rampart Row

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 PM 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 said to me.

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 monotonous 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 whatever you want to do – 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 it was this loss of control on his time that 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 those things that 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

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Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional 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 4 years ago 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  and later at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/09/literateur-in-uniform.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/06/humor-in-uniform-my-literary-boss.html