Military Life is a Song

Humor (and Music) in Uniform

MILITARY LIFE IN A NUTSHELL

LIFE AS AN OFFICER IN THE NAVY

A Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

If you ask me: “How was your life in the Navy?”

I will answer: “Well – my Navy Life can be described by a song which was popular when we were in college.”

“Which song?” you may asked.

I will sing a few lines of the song Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo (from the movie Teesri Kasam).

“I don’t understand. How can navy life be like this song?” you may ask.

“Just like the the lines in the song, my navy life can be summed up in 3 phases: ENJOYMENT, COMPLACENCY and ANXIETY – in fact, I had written a post about it in my blog a few years ago...” I may say.

“Well, I can’t keep searching for for your old blog post. Why don’t you post it again?” you may ask me.

So – Dear Readers – here is the post, once more, for you to read and mull over.

Though this post encapsulates my life in the Navy, I am sure it applies to military life in the Army and Air Force as well.

LIFE IN THE NAVY IS LIKE A SONG 

If you are a lover of Hindi Film music, I am sure you have heard the immortal song Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo from the classic movie Teesri Kasam (Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman).

The song is sung by Mukesh with the music composed by Shankar Jaikishan. 

The song’s meaningful lyrics were written by Shailendra.

Whenever I think of my life in the Navy, I realize that three lines from this song encapsulate my long career as a Naval Officer.

In fact, these three lines sum up in a nutshell the three phases of the military life of almost any naval officer, or for that matter any officer of the army or air force.

Here are those three lines from the song Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo:

1. Ladakpan Khel Mein Khoya  

I SPENT MY CHILDHOOD PLAYING

2. Jawaani Neend Bhar Soya

MY YOUTH WAS SPENT SLEEPING

3. Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya

I CRIED SEEING OLD AGE

These three lines aptly describe the 3 phases of my Life as a Naval Officer: ENJOYMENT, COMPLACENCY and ANXIETY

PHASE 1 – ENJOYMENT

(Ladakpan Khel Mein Khoya – I Spent My Childhood Playing)

PHASE 2 – COMPLACENCY

(Jawaani Neend Bhar Soya – My Youth Was Spent Sleeping)

PHASE 3 – ANXIETY

(Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya – I Cried Seeing Old Age)  

I suggest you hear the song while reading this blog post. 

If this does not work – just click the link below and the video of the song will open in another window for you to click and hear the song:

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/08/sajan-re-jhoot-mat-bolo-meaningful.html

(But do remember to come back to this window and continue to read this article where I will tell you about the 3 phases of my navy life)

3 PHASES OF MY MILITARY LIFE AS A NAVAL OFFICER 

ENJOYMENT, COMPLACENCY and ANXIETY

PHASE 1 – ENJOYMENT

(Ladakpan Khel Mein Khoya – I Spent My Childhood Playing)

After you are commissioned as an officer in the Navy (or maybe Army or Air Force) the first few years will be the best years of your life.

You will be much better off than your civilian counterparts (who have to worry about “establishing their careers” in their new jobs).

In contrast, a young navy bachelor officer can lead a carefree life.

You do not have to worry about “boarding and lodging” – wherever you are appointed (or posted), afloat or ashore, you will be provided decent accommodation and wholesome food in well-appointed wardrooms and officers messes.

You can adopt the work hard, play hard, drink hard, party hard, enjoy hard philosophy of living and there are the best of sports, recreation, social and entertainment facilities available for you to avail of.

Nothing can beat a navy bachelor’s life – you can enjoy the feast of life to the fullest.

I can confidently say that those glorious years were indeed the best years of my life.

There is a saying that “Naval Officers should not marry”.

Indeed, if you follow this dictum and you do not marry you can remain in this happy “Phase 1” throughout your life in the navy and enjoy life to the fullest (maybe it is true for the army and air force as well!)

Phase 1 of your military life will be sheer enjoyment.

The moment you get married, you transcend to Phase 2 ...

PHASE 2 – COMPLACENCY (a state of COMPLACENT CONTENTMENT )

(Jawaani Neend Bhar Soya – My Youth Was Spent Sleeping)

The main problem for a young married officer is the perpetual shortage of married accommodation.

This entails forced separations, living in ramshackle barracks and temporary quarters (euphemistically called “B” Type and “C” Type Accommodation).

Only once in my entire Naval Career did I get my “authorized” “A” Type Married Accommodation immediately on arrival in a new station.

Waiting periods range from a few months to a few years, depending on the place.

All these sundry hassles combined with marital bliss and the joys of domesticity shifts your focus (you are no longer “married to the navy”) and you enter a state of contented complacency.

You spend these middle-age years of family life (the “youth” of your navy career) with smug satisfaction.

This phase lasts from the time you get married (about 25 years) through your 30’s till your early 40’s.

Phase 2 is a reasonably happy and contented phase for your life, a phase of complacent contentment.

PHASE 3 – ANXIETY

(Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya – I Cried Seeing Old Age)

You will be in your 40’s – maybe about 45 years of age.

If you are among the lucky few – you will be promoted to high rank – but it is most likely that you will be passed over for promotion – heartlessly superseded and thrown by the wayside.

It feels terrible when you are denied your promotion which you are convinced that you fully deserve.

You feel betrayed.

You were loyal to your bosses – and the service – and suddenly you realize that they have not reciprocated your loyalty in return. 

You feel that your bosses – and the Navy – have exploited you – and then cast you aside.

Apart from the humiliation of being passed over for promotion in a highly rank-conscious organization – you will be filled with a sense of desperation as you mull over your options.

Should you continue plodding in the Navy for the sake of your family – especially for your children who may still be studying in school?

Or should you plunge into a second career, which may dislocate the lifestyle of your family, especially your children?

If you decide to stay on in the navy, which sometimes is a wise decision especially if you do not have the temperament and street-smartness required in the “Civvy Street”, then your time will pass pretty fast.

One day, suddenly, the navy will say goodbye and you will retire when you are still in your early 50’s.

Yes, in the defence services, most officers retire in the early or mid 50’s.

Even Major Generals retire at 58 and only Lieutenant Generals serve upto 60 which is the retirement age for all civilian government employees; and hardly 1% become Lieutenant Generals, unlike the civil services where almost every officer reaches equivalent rank with pay and perks due to Assured Career Progression (ACP) and Non Functional Upgradation (NFU).

You will be filled with anxiety when you realize that you have not yet completed your familial responsibilities. 

Your children may still be studying and they may not have fully settled down.

You will see that your civilian counterparts are much better off than you – they will retire at 60 by which time their children would be well settled in life and thanks to their 6 years more service they will get a higher pension too.

When you retire, comprehension will dawn on you that all that jingoistic eulogizing glorifying the defence services that you witnessed while in service was all sham and in reality the common civilian is so pre-occupied with earning his living and so busy with his own affairs that he or society does not really care for the defence services or for veteran ex-servicemen like you.

In the civilian world – only one thing matters – Money with a capital “M” – but unfortunately – if you have been an honest Naval Officer – you will not have much money when you retire.

You realize that all that rhetoric about ex-servicemen’s welfare and camaraderie is a big myth – and no one cares for military veterans.

Once you hang up your uniform and retire – you are left all alone to fend for yourself in the unfamiliar civilian world.

When I see the plight of military veterans (ex-servicemen) – I sometimes feel that: 

“The Defence Services expect you to be loyal unto death – without necessarily offering loyalty in return”

MILITARY CAREER – PROS AND CONS

I feel that the three worst things about a Career in Defence Services (Army Navy Air Force) are:

1. Poor Promotion Prospects – which results in early supersession and frustration at a young age (Assured Career Supersession)

2. Early Retirement Age – which results in wastage of productive capacity, insecurity and reduced pension benefits

3. Frequent Transfers – which adversely affect family life and destabilize education of children

But all these negatives mostly happen in Phase 3 of your Military Career – Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya – and – this causes you ANXIETY

The Plus Points of life in the Navy (Armed Forces) are the first Two Phases:

1. Ladakpan Khel Mein Khoya (ENJOYMENT) 

and 

2. Jawaani Neend Bhar Soya (COMPLACENT CONTENTMENT)

So – the first few years of Military Life are good.

And then – as you approach your 50’s – you reach a state of Budhaapa Dekhkar Roya (ANXIETY)

[If you are a Short Service Commission (SSC) Officer – you will have to play this song in “fast forward” mode – and you will reach Phase 3 (Anxiety) in around 7 years of Service]

Now that I have told you – in a nutshell – about the pros and cons of life of an officer in the Navy – or broadly speaking about military life – in the Army or Air Force too – if you are one of those youngsters who want to sign up – please go ahead – but do so with your eyes open – and do due diligence – and you will not be disappointed. 

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. This blog post is a is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. These are my personal views, to be taken lightly, and these personal musings do not constitute career guidance advice. Please choose your career after carrying out your own due diligence. 

3. 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 is a revised updated re-post of my blog post posted online earlier at urls: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/08/humor-in-uniform-military-life-in.html  and  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/09/looking-back-at-my-military-life-life.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/08/sajan-re-jhoot-mat-bolo-meaningful.html 

Philosophy of Life Made Simple – In Two Songs

I first saw the film HUM DONO in the early 1960s.

At that time I was a small boy and I liked the war scenes.

Later, when I was in college, I saw HUM DONO again.

HUM DONO is one of my favourite movies.

What I love most about HUM DONO are two songs which encapsulate the Philosophy of Life in lyrics which are breathtaking in their simplicity yet so meaningful – Profound Philosophy on the Art of Living in Simple Words. 

The first is an inspiring song – the second is a deeply meaningful song.

Here are the two Songs:

1. Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya

2. Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Halaat Pe Rona Aaya

Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya

MAIN ZINDAGI KA SAATH NIBHATA CHALA GAYA 

Lyrics with English Translation (Courtesy - Internet)

Main Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya

Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Udata Chala Gaya

I moved on keeping abreast with life

Every problem I blew away with rings of smoke

Barbadiyon Ka Shok Manana Fizul Tha

Barbadiyon Ka Jashan Manata Chala Gaya

Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Udaata Chala Gaya

Mourning the failures was a waste of time

So I moved on, celebrating my failures

Every problem I blew away with rings of smoke

Jo Mil Gaya Usi Ko Muqaddar Samajh Liya

Jo Kho Gaya Main Usko Bhulata Chala Gaya

Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Udaata Chala Gaya

What I received I believed it was my destiny

What I lost, I kept trying to forget it

Every problem I blew away with rings of smoke

Gham Aur Khushi Mein Farq Na Mehsoos Ho Jahan

Maein Dil Ko Us Muqaam Pe Laata Chala Gaya

Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Udaata Chala Gaya

Where there is no difference between Happiness and Sorrow

I moved on, trying to bring my heart into that state

Every problem I blew away with rings of smoke

Kabhi Khud Pe Kabhi Halaat Pe Rona Aaya

KABHI KHUD PE KABHI HALAT PE RONA AAYA

Lyrics with English translation (Courtesy - Internet)

Kabhi Khud Pe Khabi Halat Pe Rona Aaya
Baat Nikli To Har Ik Baat Pe Rona Aaya
Sometimes at myself, and sometimes at the circumstances, I cry.
Once the topic comes up, at every topic I cry

Hum To Samjhe The Ke Hum Bhool Gaye Hain Un Ko
Kya Hua Aaj Ye Kis Baat Pe Rona Aaya
I thought I had forgotten her.
But what happened today, that I started crying?

Kis Liye Jeete Hai Hum Kis K Liye Marte Hai
Baar Baar Aise Sawalaat Pe Rona Aaya
Why do I live? For whom do I live?
Asking these questions, I cried.

Kaun Rota Hai Kisi Aur Ki Khatir Ay Dost
Sab Ko Apni Hi Kisi Baat Pe Rona Aaya
Who cries for another in this world, O' friend?
Everyone is so busy crying about their own problems.

Kabhi Khud Pe Khabi Halat Pe Rona Aaya
Baat Nikli To Har Ik Baat Pe Rona Aaya
Sometimes at myself, and sometimes at the circumstances, I cry.
Once the topic comes up, at every topic I cry.

The most profound couplet in this song is: 

कौन रोता है किसी और की खातिर ऐ दोस्त सबको अपनी ही किसी बात पे रोना आया

Kaun Rota Hai Kisi Aur Ki Khatir Ay Dost
Sab Ko Apni Hi Kisi Baat Pe Rona Aaya

(Do you ever cry for someone else...? It is for your own problems that you cry for...)

School Song : TAN TAN TAN SUNO GHANTI BAJI - CHALO SCHOOL CHALE - SCHOOL TUMKO PUKARE

TAN TAN TAN SUNO GHANTI BAJI - CHALO SCHOOL CHALE - SCHOOL TUMKO PUKARE
 
I love this Melodious School Song
Click the link below and hear the song - you will feel like going to school again



I think the song is composed by Jatin and sung by Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan

So sing away - Tan Tan Tan ...

HOW TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING - RISE AND SHINE - A GOOD MORNING MAKES A GOOD DAY - HOW I BEGIN MY DAY

HOW I BEGIN MY DAY 

CARPE DIEM
A MORNING PRAYER TO SEIZE THE DAY
By
VIKRAM KARVE

BEGIN YOUR DAY WITH A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE TO MOTHER EARTH

Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi Karamadhye Saraswati 

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मिः करमध्ये सरस्वति । 

Every morning, the moment I wake up at dawn, I open my eyes, put the two palms of my hand together, look at them and recite my Morning Shloka  - this prayer was taught to me by my late maternal grandmother when I was a small boy.

Then, after reciting my morning prayer, I close my eyes, place the palms of my hands on my eyes and continue to lie down in bed and think about what I am going to do during the day. 

After a few moments, I move my hands all over my body to warm up and pep up my circulation, energize myself, and then I  get up, say Carpe Diem – and, yes, I seize the day and make the most of it.

Here is the morning prayer:

Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi Karamadhye Saraswati

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मिः करमध्ये सरस्वति ।



Just click below and hear this meaningful and melodious prayer (it is very short - just 2 minutes). 

The Sanskrit prayer, the English Transliteration and the meaning in English are given below too. 

Dear Reader, first click the song below and hear this short prayer.

(After hearing the prayer please read the meaning of the prayer and my views below)

कराग्रे वसते लक्ष्मिः करमध्ये सरस्वति ।

करमूले तु गोविन्दः प्रभाते करदर्शनम् ॥

समुद्र-वसने देवि, पर्वत-स्तन-मंडिते ।

विष्णु-पत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं, पाद-स्पर्शं क्षमस्व मे ॥

Karaagre Vasate Lakshmi Karamadhye Saraswati,

Karamuule Tu Govinda Prabhaate Karadarshanam,

Samudravasane Devi Parvatastanamandale,

Vishhnupatni Namastubhyam Paadasparsham Kshamasva Me

Meaning in English

The front part of the hands (the finger tips) is credited to Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth. 

The middle part or palm is credited to Goddess Saraswati, the Goddess of Learning.

The Root of the hand (the part of hand near the wrist) to Govinda (the name of  Lord Krishna, an avatar of God Vishnu). 

So, every morning, one should have a reverent look at one's hand which represents sincere labour. 

I bow to Mother Earth, who has mountains and jungles on her body and whose clothing is made by the ocean. 

The wife of Lord Vishnu, please pardon me for touching you with my feet.

RISE AND SHINE

 

HOW TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING

Never use an alarm clock which wakes you up in a disturbing manner.

Get up naturally and gradually open your eyes. 

And then as sleep goes away and you slowly come to your senses, just hold your palms above you, look at them and say this morning prayer (or any inspiring thought you like). 

After this short prayer of paying obeisance to the Goddesses Laxmi and Saraswati and God Vishnu and expressing gratitude to Mother Earth, you must close your eyes, place the palms of your hands on your eyes and continue to lie down in bed for a few moments thinking about what you are going to do during the day. 

This palming is good for your eyes too and gives you a sense of inner peace. 

So just close your eyes, place your palms on your eyes, and contemplate about the day ahead. 

(Do not think about yesterday or about tomorrow, just focus on today). 

Then after a few moments, move your hands all over your body to pep up your circulation, energize yourself, and then get up, say to yourself Carpe Diem – and, yes, you will seize the day and make the most of it.

If your day begins well the rest of the day will be good. 

Yes, a good morning makes a good day.

As they say: well begun is half done.

More importantly, this helps you live one day at a time.

I try my best to live one day at a time. 

For me every morning is a new day, a new life

So I try my best to make the most of it - yes, I make the most of the present day.

Then I hit the bed and go to sleep, forget about the day which is over and gone forever and wake up to another fresh new day. 

And when I wake up, I say my morning prayer, get into a positive mood, and Carpe Diem - I seize the new day.

Remember, the manner in which you wake up in the morning decides the quality of your day. 

So, Dear Reader, wake up well and have a happy day ahead.

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
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. 
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About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
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Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com and vikramkarve@hotmail.com

Twitter: @vikramkarve 

      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

First Posted by Vikram Karve at 9/13/2012 10:59:00 AM in this blog at url :  http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2012/09/carpe-diem-seize-day-first-thing-in.html