UNFINISHED STORY
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This story happened many years ago during my Naval Dockyard
Mumbai days.
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“UNFINISHED STORY”
Story from My Naval Dockyard Days
By
VIKRAM KARVE
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PART 1
LEAVE
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During my Navy Days – whenever I applied for leave – especially casual leave – sometimes – my boss would ask me the reason why I wanted leave – but – I did not have to mention the same on the leave application form.
The leave application form asked for various details
like number of days of leave required, type of leave, address and phone number during
leave period etc – but there was no requirement to mention the reason for leave.
In contrast – civilian employees had to mention the
reason for leave on their leave application form – at least in the Naval
Dockyard – where this story happened many years ago.
There was one more difference between uniformed navy
personnel and civilian employees as far as leave was concerned.
In the Navy (and maybe in Army and Air Force too) – remaining
absent without leave was an offence – you were treated as AWOL (Absent Without
Official Leave) or “marked run” in Navy parlance – and if you didn’t report for
duty after a telegram was sent to your home address – you could be arrested and
punished severely.
In the case of civilian employees – things were quite
lenient – and such absences from duty without sanctioned leave were generally
regularised by “ex-post-facto” approvals – sometimes – “benevolent” seniors
even regularised long absences by granting “leave without pay” in case all the
accumulated leave was exhausted.
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PART 2
THE LEAVE APPLICATION
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The moment I saw the reason for leave on the leave
application form – I burst out into laughter.
In fact – three of my key supervisors had mentioned
the same reason.
My deputy had forwarded the leave applications with
the remark “Not Recommended”.
“What’s the problem…?” I asked him.
“Sir – there is an important meeting on that day – for
which all supervisors are required – especially these three…” my deputy said.
“Ask these three guys to see me at 12:30 – when they
come for lunch break – before I go for lunch…” I said to my deputy – and – I kept
the three leave applications in my drawer.
“Sir – are you going to give them leave…? I didn’t
understand the reason they have mentioned…” my deputy asked me.
“Didn’t you ask them…?” I said to my deputy.
“I did, Sir – I asked them what was so important on
that day – I told them to postpone their leave in view of the important meeting
– but they said that I wouldn’t understand but you would – Sir – I don’t think
you should give them leave on that day…” my deputy said.
“Let’s see – I’ll talk to them – and the reason they
have mentioned – I will explain it to your later – in fact – you also be
present at 12:30 when they come – so – you can hear it from them…” I said to my
deputy.
“Aye Aye, Sir…” my deputy said to me – he saluted –
and he left my office.
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PART 3
FLASHBACK
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Dear Reader – in order to give you a bit of background
– let me tell you about an incident that happened in the very first week of my
taking up my appointment as the manager of a premier department in the
Dockyard.
I noticed that a civilian officer was missing from the
morning meeting.
When I enquired about his absence – my deputy said
that he was on “sick leave”.
“What…? Sick Leave…? He seemed to be quite okay
yesterday. What’s wrong with him…?” I asked my deputy.
“Sir – he called up a few minutes ago saying that he
had high fever – must be flu or something…” my deputy said.
“Let’s hope he gets well soon…” I said to everyone.
For uniformed personnel – you had to report sick to
the sickbay or clinic or hospital – and hade to be declared SIQ (Sick in Quarters)
or get admitted to hospital – if you were absent from duty due to sickness,
In the case of civilian employees – a telephonic intimation
was enough. On reporting for duty – they had to submit a doctor’s certificate with
brief details of their sickness and certifying that they were sick were not fit
to perform their duty on those days. The “sick leave” was approved
ex-post-facto.
I looked at the wall clock in my office – it was 9:30
AM
“I have to visit the Store Depot at Ghatkopar…” I said
– then – I looked at the Stores Officer and asked him, “have you tied up
everything…? Are we getting transport…?”
“Sir – they will be waiting for us at 11:30 AM – Sir –
there is no transport available – they have given an NA (Non-Availability) Certificate
– so – we will have to go by local…”
“Okay – I’ll quickly change into civvies – and we will
walk down to VT and catch a local…” I said to the Stores Officer.
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