Which Navy is a Better Career Choice – Merchant Navy or Defence Navy (Indian Navy)

Making a Career Choice

INDIAN NAVY or MERCHANT NAVY

Story of a Smart Boy’s Dilemma

By

VIKRAM KARVE

This happened more than 15 years ago – in the year 2001.

A bright young boy – who had just passed his 12^th CBSE Board Examination – came to meet me at my home in Mumbai.

His father was an Officer in the Indian Navy (Defence Navy).

The bright young boy wanted some career guidance advice.

He asked me a straightforward question:

“I have been selected as a Deck Cadet in a prestigious Shipping Company. I have also been selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA) as a Cadet for the Indian Navy. Which one should I join: Indian Navy or Merchant Navy...?”

“Did you ask your father...? What did he say...?” I asked him.

“My mother says that he is too biased. She said that I must take a neutral opinion. My father agreed too. That’s why they told me to ask you for advice...” the youngster said.

“Have you thought of other options – IIT, Medical, Engineering, Hotel Management, Civil Services…” I said.

“No,” the boy interrupted, “I am not interested in all those things. I want to be a seafarer.”

I looked at the smart young boy. 

He looked tough, intelligent, neat, well-groomed  – and – he certainly had the personality required of a Naval Officer.

“Okay,” I said, “how much time have you got to decide...?”

“One week,” he said, “I have to confirm readiness to the Shipping Company within 10 days. The Deck Cadet Training starts in 15 days time. Even for the NDA – I will have to report for the course next month.”

“You will have to find your own answer to choosing between the Indian Navy and Merchant Navy...” I said, “I will only help you find your answer.”

“How...?” he asked.

“You must do two things...” I said.

“Two things...?” he asked.

I said to the youngster: 

“Yes. 

This is what you must do. 

Go around and talk to people – meet the maximum number of persons you can – and – find out the following information:

1. How many children of Indian Navy Officers have joined the Merchant Navy...?

2. How many children of Merchant Navy Officers have joined the Indian Navy...?

Meanwhile – I will also try to find out from my fellow officers. 

I know a lot of Merchant Navy officers too...” I said. 

We met after a week to tally the data we had collected.

1. The number of children of Indian Navy Officers who had joined the Merchant Navy was Twenty One (21)

2. The number of children of Merchant Navy Officers who had joined the Indian Navy was Zero (0)

“By the way – I talked to some Army Officers also...” I said, “and I met 3 Army Officers whose sons have joined the Merchant Navy – but – like I said – I did not find a single Merchant Navy Officer whose son or daughter has joined the Indian Army or Indian Navy or the Defence Services...” I said.

“I found out one more interesting thing too...” the boy said.

“What’s that...?” I asked.

“There are many Indian Navy Officers and Sailors who quit the Indian Navy to join the Merchant Navy – but – I did not find a single person who quit the Merchant Navy to join the Indian Navy...” he said.

“So – you have got your answer – haven’t you...?” I asked the boy.

“Yes, Sir...” the smart young man said to me, with a decisive smile on his face.  

Of course – he went ahead and joined the Merchant Navy.

PS: Have you seen a son/daughter of a Merchant Navy Officer joining the Indian Navy (or Army/Air Force)...? If you have – please comment and let us know. 

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.

Disclaimer:

1. These are my personal views. Please do your own due diligence while selecting your career.

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)

This story is a revised repost of my article "Making a Career Choice INDIAN NAVY or MERCHANT NAVY" posted online by me earlier in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/indian-navy-or-merchant-navy-making.html

Humor in Uniform - SAHEBS AT SEA - “SHIPPIE” NICKNAMES

HUMOUR IN UNIFORM

SAHEBS AT SEA

“SHIPPIE” NICKNAMES

Amusing Musings

By

VIKRAM KARVE

There was a time when a number of Indian Navy Officers quit the “Fighting Navy” (White Ensign) for a second innings in the Main Fleet of the Merchant Navy (Red Ensign) and kept sailing on the high seas till a ripe old age.

Nowadays, most Indian Navy Officers opt for a second innings in the Auxiliary Offshore Fleet comprising small ships like Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs), Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs), Multi-Purpose Support Vessels (MSVs) etc

Maybe today’s ex-Navy officers avoid joining the Main Fleet of the Merchant Navy, probably because it requires extensive professional and seagoing requirements, higher qualifications and competencies, and involves a tougher life on the high seas.

I have a book of humorous memoirs called “With A Pinch of Salt” written by Commodore Vinod K Sharma, from the first batch of Direct Entry Officers of the Executive Branch (Benbows), who served in the Indian Navy for 29 years (from 1948 to 1977), followed by a second innings of 16 years in the Main Fleet of the Merchant Navy.

In the chapter where he narrates how he had to adapt to a new culture when he changed over from the “White Ensign” to the “Red Ensign” and became a Merchant Mariner, he writes that the most striking change is the relationship between the various ranks and branches.

“While the Captain is the de jure Master, the Chief Engineer is de facto his own boss, and is addressed – and addresses himself – as “Barra Saheb” meaning “Big Shot”, while the Captain is merely “Captain Saheb”.

The Chief Officer is called “Maloom Saheb” meaning “Mr. Know-all”.

The Second Officer is called “Aadhaa Maloom Saheb” or “The Half-Knower” by the crew, and he doesn’t mind being addressed as such.

The relatively younger Third Officer is referred to as “Kuchh Nahin Maloom Saheb” meaning “The Clueless Officer” …”

This delightful book “With A Pinch of Salt” is a “must read” for connoisseurs of humour in uniform.

I am sure many of the stalwarts who have had two innings, one in the Indian Navy and the second in the Merchant Navy, will be able to tell us of their hilarious experiences while coping up with the cultural change.

We too have “nicknames” and “monikers” in the Navy.

And I am sure the sister services, the Army and Air Force, have typical nicknames for various appointments too.

Come on, Dear Readers in Uniform – do tell us about some of the more interesting and amusing nicknames in uniform that you have come across during your career.

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.

Disclaimer:

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)

INDIAN NAVY or MERCHANT NAVY - MAKING A CAREER CHOICE

Making a Career Choice

INDIAN NAVY or MERCHANT NAVY

Story of a Smart Boy’s Dilemma

By

VIKRAM KARVE

This happened more than 12 years ago, in the year 2001.

A bright young boy, who had just passed his 12^th CBSE Board Examination, came to meet me at my home in Mumbai.

His father was an Officer in the Indian Navy.

The bright young boy wanted some career guidance advice.

He asked me a straightforward question:

“I have been selected as a Deck Cadet in a prestigious Shipping Company. I have also been selected for the National Defence Academy (NDA) as a Cadet for the Indian Navy. Which one should I join: Indian Navy or Merchant Navy?”

“Did you ask your father? What did he say?”

“My mother says that he is too biased. She said that I must take a neutral opinion. My father agreed too. That’s why they told me to ask you for advice.”

“Have you thought of other options – IIT, Medical, Engineering. Hotel Management …”

“No,” the boy interrupted, “I am not interested in all those things. I want to be a seafarer.”

I looked at the smart young boy. He looked tough, intelligent, neat, well-groomed and he certainly had the personality required of a Naval Officer.

“Okay,” I said, “how much time have you got to decide?”

“One week,” he said, “I have to confirm readiness to the Shipping Company within ten days. The Deck Cadet Training starts in 15 days time. Even for the NDA, I will have to report for the course next month.”

“You will have to find your own answer,” I said, “I will only help you.”

“How?” he asked.

“You must do two things,” I said.

“Two things?”

“Yes. This is what you must do. Go around and talk to people, meet the maximum number of persons you can, and find out the following information:

1. How many children of Indian Navy Officers have joined the Merchant Navy

2. How many children of Merchant Navy Officers have joined the Indian Navy

Meanwhile, I will also try to find out from my fellow officers. I know a lot of Merchant Navy officers too.”

We met after a week to tally the data we had collected.

1. The number of children of Indian Navy Officers who had joined the Merchant Navy was Twenty One (21)

2. The number of children of Merchant Navy Officers who had joined the Indian Navy was Zero (0)

“By the way, I talked to some Army Officers also,” I said, “and I met three army officers whose sons have joined the merchant navy, but, like I said, I did not find a single Merchant Navy Officer whose son or daughter has joined the Indian Army or Indian Navy or the Defence Services.”

“I found out one more interesting thing too,” the boy said.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“There are many Indian Navy Officers and Sailors who quit the Indian Navy to join the Merchant Navy, but I did not find a single person who quit the Merchant Navy to join the Indian Navy.”

“So, you have got your answer, haven’t you?” I asked the boy.

“Yes, Sir,” the smart young man said to me, with a decisive smile on his face. 

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

NB:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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 2013. All Rights Reserved

SEAMANSHIP - The Secret Formula - A Naval Yarn

SEAMANSHIP  -  The Secret Formula

A Naval Yarn

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Once upon a time there was a famous sea captain, a veteran sea dog.

This renowned captain was very successful at seafaring and for many years he guided ships all over the world.

Never did stormy seas or pirates get the best of him.

He was admired by his crew and fellow captains.

However, this captain had one idiosyncrasy.

Every time he came to the bridge of his ship, the captain used to do a strange thing.

He would take out a small envelope from his breast pocket. 

From this envelope he would take out a small card.

He would stare at the card for a minute.

Then he would put the card back into the envelope and thereafter place the small envelope back into his breast pocket. 

After this quick ritual, he would take charge and go about his command duties on his ship.

For years this went on and on and became a legend.

His officers and crew became very curious as to what was written on the card their captain read every time he came on the bridge.

Was it some naval formula? 

Was it some secret code? 

Was it some religious verse? 

Was it some inspirational quote? 

Was it some secret code? 

Was it a treasure map? 

Was it the name of his long lost love?

Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope but no one dared ask the awe-inspiring redoubtable captain.

One day the captain collapsed on the bridge and died at sea.

After laying the captain’s body to rest, the first mate (curiously watched by the crew) took out the small envelope from the captain’s breast pocket.

He opened the envelope and took out the mysterious card. 

As he looked at the card the first mate was dumbfounded. 

For a few moments he just stared at the card in shocked silence.

Then he showed the card to the curious officers and crew.

Just Four Words were written on the paper in red and green in two lines, with two words on each line, written in capital letters, as shown below:

PORT LEFT

STARBOARD RIGHT

Cheers. Sail away ... !!!

SEAMANSHIP in a Nutshell

SEAMANSHIP in a Nutshell

An Apocryphal Story

A Naval Yarn

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Once upon a time there was a famous sea captain, a veteran sea dog.

This renowned captain was very successful at seafaring and for many years he guided ships all over the world.

Never did stormy seas or pirates get the best of him.

He was admired by his crew and fellow captains.

However, this captain had one idiosyncrasy.

Every time he came to the bridge of his ship, the captain used to do a strange thing.

He would take out a small envelope from his breast pocket. 

From this envelope he would take out a small card.

He would stare at the card for a minute.

Then he would put the card back into the envelope and thereafter place the small envelope back into his breast pocket. 

After this quick ritual, he would take charge and go about his command duties on his ship.

For years this went on and on and became a legend.

His officers and crew became very curious as to what was written on the card their captain read every time he came on the bridge.

Was it some naval formula? Was it some secret code? Was it some religious verse? Was it some inspirational quote? Was it some secret code? Was it a treasure map? Was it the name of his long lost love?

Everyone speculated about the contents of the strange envelope but no one dared ask the awe-inspiring redoubtable captain.

One day the captain collapsed on the bridge and died at sea.

After laying the captain’s body to rest, the first mate (curiously watched by the crew) took out the small envelope from the captain’s breast pocket.

He opened the envelope and took out the mysterious card. 

As he looked at the card the first mate was dumbfounded. For a few moments he just stared at the card in shocked silence.

Then he showed the card to the curious officers and crew.

Just Four Words were written on the paper in red and green – two lines, with two words on each line, written in capital letters, as shown below:

PORT LEFT

STARBOARD RIGHT

SEA DOG - Definition

This is how an officer once described his ship’s Bosun (Boatswain)

Never drunk on duty - never sober on liberty

Now that's a really good definition of a Sea Dog of yesteryear