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
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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

Navy Humor - “Sea Dogs” and “Sea Dolls”

Humor in Uniform

Navy Humor

“SEA DOGS” and “SEA DOLLS”

A Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

Please read this spoof only if you have a sense of humor. 

This article 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.

The terms “dog” and “doll” are used in a metaphorical sense.

Whenever I want to use slang or unconventional English – I refer to The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English 

In this Slang Dictionary – one meaning of the word “doll” is “a very attractive person of any sex that you may find attractive”.

So – as per this definition – a “sea doll” is a person who you may find attractive at sea – in short – a good looking naval officer or sailor.

And – of course – you know that the term “sea dog” means an experienced sailor.

This spoof is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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.

SEA DOGS and SEA DOLLS – A Spoof by Vikram Karve

When I joined the Navy – 39 years ago – in the 1970’s – I observed that there were two types of Naval Officers:

1. Sea Dogs

2. Sea Dolls

Now – before you jump the gun and accuse me of “gender insensitivity” – please note that the term “Sea Doll” is not being used for Women Naval Officers.

When I joined the Navy – there were no Women Naval Officers – except a few “landlubber quack chicks” in the medical branch.

Even today – in India – Women Naval Officers adorn only “soft” shore billets.

A Woman Naval Officer does not have to undergo the tough strenuous ship life of Male Naval Officer on warships at sea.

So – maybe I will have to conjure up some other epithet (without the prefix “sea”) for these “feminine landlubber ladies” in white uniform.

I have digressed – so let me come back to the topic of “Sea Dogs” and “Sea Dolls”.

As a young Naval Officer – I realized that there are Two Navies within the Navy:

1. The Operational Navy – comprising all aspects pertaining to warfighting at sea – warships, submarines, aircraft, the dockyards and various frontline units supporting the fleet...

2. The Ceremonial Navy – comprising all the “showmanship” activities like parades, fleet reviews, Public Relations (PR) Exercises, “shop windows”, events like navy week and navy ball, public shows, parties, social events et al…

“Sea Dogs” ran the “gristly, gritty and grimy” operational navy.

“Sea Dolls” ran the “spick and span” ceremonial navy.

“Sea Dogs” were rugged masculine looking men.

In contrast – “Sea Dolls” adorned the “fair and handsome” genteel “metrosexual” look.

Most “Sea Dogs” sported rough and tough “Full Set” Beards.

“Sea Dolls” preferred to have an elegant and pretty “clean-shaven” look.

There were some exceptions.

I have seen some clean-shaven non-bearded “Sea Dogs”.

But – I have never seen a bearded “Sea Doll”.

Whether bearded or not – “Sea Dogs” preferred the tough natural look – a seaman’s robust grooming and rugged brawny turn out.

“Sea Dolls” were obsessed with maintaining a suave polished appearance and chic glamorous attractive turn out.

“Sea Dogs” were “tough cookies”.

Most “Sea Dogs” had an abrasive personality – like rough and tough sailors.

In stark contrast – “Sea Dolls” were “smooth operators”.

All “Sea Dolls” had a pleasing personality – like slick charming corporate executives.

In earlier days – it was the “Sea Dogs” who dominated the senior ranks in the Navy – but gradually – the tide seems to have turned in favour of the “Sea Dolls”.

I wonder whether the same applies to the Army and Air Force – and what are the Army and Air Force equivalents of “Sea Dogs” and “Sea Dolls”.

By the way – have you read the classic military novel Catch-22 ?

Yes?

Then – let me give you a metaphorical example.

If “Catch 22” was a Navy Novel – a “Sea Dog” would be someone like the character of General Dreedle (an archetypal no-nonsense blunt plain-speaking military man) – and a “Sea Doll” would be someone like General Peckem (a pompous pretentious sycophantic show-off)

If you have read Catch-22 – you will understand what I mean.

I can go on and on about “Sea Dogs” and “Sea Dolls” till the cows come home – but by now – I am sure you have got the drift.

So – the next time you see a Naval Officer – have some fun and amuse yourself.

Have a good look at the Navy Officer – and try to judge for yourself – is he a tough “Sea Dog” – or a glamorous “Sea Doll”.

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 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. This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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)

 

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)

Humor in Uniform - NOBODY IS INDISPENSABLE

HUMOUR IN UNIFORM

Here is a yarn from my HUMOUR IN UNIFORM archives, once more, for you to read, have a laugh and ponder over...

NOBODY IS INDISPENSABLE

An Apocryphal Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. Please read this apocryphal story only if you have a sense of humor. This yarn is a spoof, 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.  This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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)

NOBODY IS INDISPENSABLE – An Apocryphal Story by VIKRAM KARVE

The Senior Engineer was going crazy.

The Senior Engineer was going crazy because his boss, the Engineer Officer, Commander (E), would not give the Senior Engineer any leave.

“Senior”, as the Senior Engineer Officer was affectionately called, had not got leave for even a single day since he joined the ship almost six months ago.

At sea, there was no leave since the ship was sailing, and the Senior Engineer was indispensable.

In harbour, Commander (E) denied leave to the hapless Senior Engineer on the pretext that there was repair and maintenance to be done.

At sea, while the Senior Engineer slogged below decks in the heat and grime of Engine Room in his overalls, the Commander (E) would sit in spotless whites playing bridge in the wardroom along with the other “unemployed” officers like “Pusser” (the Supply Officer), “Schoolie” (the “Education” Officer) and “Quack” (the Ship’s Doctor).

In harbour, the Commander (E) made Senior’s life hell by making him do all the tough and dirty work on board, while he spent most of his time ashore networking with senior officers in the Headquarters to build his career and generally having a good time.

Commander (E) was a sadist.

A “pen-pusher” landlubber self-styled Marine Engineer who had spent most his naval career pushing files in Delhi, Commander (E) was always dressed in spotless whites and never wore the customary overalls which Engineers wore on board ships.

He spent most of his time in his cabin and in the wardroom.

Some witty sailors joked that Commander (E) probably did not even know where the engine-room was located.

He had come all the way from Delhi just to “earn” his all important “Sea ACR” – the vital performance appraisal report for his “criterion” sea appointment.

The moment one year sea-time was over, he would be back at his comfortable desk in Delhi, and thanks to his first-rate Sea ACR, he would be wearing one more stripe on his shoulder.

Then onwards, it would be smooth sailing and it was just a matter of time before he became an Admiral.

Yes, once this crucial sea-time was over, he would “manage” everything.

Like all sadists, Commander (E) was a blustering braggart – a gasbag who put on an outward show of brashness, but the reality was that deep inside he was terribly insecure.

Commander (E) was insecure because he was professionally clueless.

In order to cover up his lack of technical knowledge, Commander (E) had made sure he was assigned a good Senior Engineer to do all the dirty work.

Commander (E) knew that all he had to do was to take charge of his of meek Senior Engineer so that everything ran smoothly.

This would ensure that Commander (E) got an excellent ACR which would clear his way for future promotions.

Now suddenly the Senior Engineer wanted a few days leave to go home for an urgent domestic commitment.

And there was this long sailing coming up.

Commander (E) dreaded sailing without the Senior Engineer, lest he be exposed if something went wrong.

In fact, Commander (E) refused to give leave to Senior in harbour too, as Commander (E) was afraid that his technical ignorance would be discovered by the Dockyard Officers.

“30 days leave? On a frontline ship? Are you crazy?” bellowed Commander (E) when he saw Senior’s Leave Application.

“Sir, my sister’s marriage has been fixed. I just got a telegram yesterday.”

“But 30 days?”

“Sir, I have to arrange everything. I am the only brother.”

“Bullshit. A Senior Engineer can’t be absent for a month.”

“Please, Sir. I have to be there for the marriage.”

“Leave the application with me. I’ll see later. And get the ship ready for sailing. What happened to the defects on the boiler?”

“Sir, dockyard is working…”

“You should do it yourself – you bloody shammer.”

“Sir, but …”

“But? What? Don’t stand there looking lost like a clueless clot with your thumb in your bum and your brain at neutral. Go and get on with your job,” shouted Commander (E).

The hapless Senior Engineer got on to the job and got the ship ready for sea.

A few days later, after they returned from the sea sortie, the Senior Engineer asked Commander (E) about his leave application.

“All you can think about is your leave. Have you prepared the defect list?” Commander (E) yelled.

“Defect list? Which defect list?” Senior asked.

“The bloody refit defect list.”

“Sir, the refit is 6 months away.”

“So? I want see the defect list first. Only after that will even I look at your leave application.”

“Sir, it will take me at least a week to prepare the defect list.”

“So? Do it.”

“Sir, I have to go on leave right now. My sister’s marriage is next week.”

“What do you mean you ‘have to’ go on leave? You bloody impertinent bastard. This is the bloody navy. in the Navy, Leave is a Privilege, not a Right. Do you understand? In any case, there is no chance of any leave for you right now. I have just come to know that there is an important sailing coming up. So just bugger off and get on with your job.”

“Sir, please, sir. Try to understand. How can I be missing from my sister’s wedding?”

“That’s your problem. You should have thought about all that before you joined the navy. That’s the problem with you dope-entry chaps – you buggers are civilians in uniform.”

“Sir, I want to see the Captain.”

“You’ll see my bloody arse. Now get out of here – go to the engine room and get on with your job,” Commander (E) thundered.

Senior Engineer did not go to the Engine Room.

He went straight to the wardroom.

He needed to talk to someone.

He saw “Guns”, the Gunnery Officer, sitting in the Wardroom.

It was only 11 o’clock but Guns already had a glass in his hand.

On Saturdays, the bar opened at 12, but guns had such a formidable personality that the steward dared not refuse him a drink, whatever the time of the day or night.

Just last evening, Guns had ordered the ship’s barber to shave off half the moustache of the gangway quartermaster for being slack on duty.

Sailors were petrified of Guns, and even most officers steered clear of him.

As per his usual style, Guns was drinking rum.

A bottle of rum, an ice box and a jug of water were placed on the table before him.

“Come, Senior, have a drink,” Guns said.

Senior liked Guns.

Though Guns was quite a fearsome tyrant, he had somehow taken a liking to the rather docile Senior Engineer.

The steward was alert (when Guns was around, sailors were on their toes).

He knew Senior’s drink.

A glass of beer was placed before Senior.

“Sir, today, I am thinking of having rum,” Senior stammered.

“That’s good! So you are becoming a true-blue sea dog. Here, take the bottle and pour some rum into your beer – don’t worry – rum and beer, no fear!” Guns said.

Senior took a big gulp of beer.

Then he topped up the glass with rum.

He swirled the glass to let the beer and rum mix properly, and then took a huge gulp of the concoction, down the hatch.

Guns looked at Senior curiously and said, “Come on, Senior, get it off your chest.”

“Sir, Commander (E) is not giving me leave for my sister’s marriage.”

“I know. He was boasting to the XO and telling him how he was screwing the hell out of you. Both of them are bastards. They are hand-in-glove. So you can forget about your leave.”

“Sir, but I have to go for my sister’s marriage.”

“Then skip.”

“Skip?”

“Just pack your bags and push off.”

“Sir, you are telling me to break ship, to go AWOL. I will be marked ‘run’ and then I will be caught and I will be punished.”

“Then take the punishment like a man. You have to decide your priorities for yourself – you decide what is more important for you – attending your sister’s marriage or cowering before that bloody Commander (E).”

“Sir, I am feeling scared.”

“Don’t worry. Have some more rum – it will give you Dutch-Courage,” Guns said, and he topped up Senior’s glass with neat rum.

Senior took a big gulp of rum. He felt better – a bit high – the cobwebs in his head began to clear.

It was almost 12 noon. The wardroom mess secretary, the SCO, came in to make arrangements for the Saturday afternoon PLD.

Suddenly, Commander (E) barged into to wardroom.

He was stunned to see his Senior Engineer sitting in the wardroom, drinking away to glory.

“What the hell are you doing here? Just go down to the engine-room right now. That’s a bloody order. And there is no liberty for you till further orders,” Commander (E) shouted at Senior in anger.

“Screw your liberty – I am going on leave,” Senior slurred drunkenly.

On hearing these defiant words, for a moment, Commander (E) was dumbstruck.

Then, Commander (E) recovered his wits and said to Senior in a threatening manner, “If you don’t go to the engine-room right now, I will have you arrested and locked up.”

“You go and hop,” Senior said mockingly. The alcohol in his veins was making him feel braver and braver.

Seeing the situation going out of control, the SCO quietly left the wardroom.

Things were turning nasty and the SCO did not want to be a witness to the fracas.

Besides, he had to inform the Captain immediately, because, after all, like all SCOs on ships, he was the Captain’s spy in the wardroom.

By the time the Captain came down to the wardroom, the situation had blown up, and Senior was seen menacingly moving towards Commander (E).

The Senior Engineer was waving the empty bottle of rum dangerously at Commander (E) and Guns was trying to restrain him.

“Stop it,” the Captain shouted in his commanding voice, “What the hell is going on?”

“Sir, Commander (E) is not giving me leave for my sister’s marriage,” Senior Engineer said, looking at the Captain.

“I know,” the Captain said.

“Sir, that’s not true. I want this insubordinate officer punished,” Commander (E) said to the Captain.

“We’ll see about that later. First, you tell me why are you not giving your Senior Engineer leave to attend his sister’s marriage?” the Captain asked Commander (E).

“Sir, there is a sailing programme,” Commander (E) said.

“So? Is he indispensable? Suppose he drops dead tomorrow, what will you do? It will take at least a month to get a relief Senior Engineer. Are you telling me that the ship cannot sail if there is no Senior Engineer? Just tell me – what the hell are you doing on board this ship as Engineer Officer?” the Captain said sternly to Commander (E).

There was silence in the wardroom.

The Captain looked at Commander (E) and said, “Now listen carefully, Commander (E). I am approving one leave application today – either Senior’s or yours. You decide who is more indispensable – you or your Senior Engineer. Either he goes on leave or you go on leave.”

A few hours later, Senior Engineer was seen crossing the ship’s gangway, with a bag on his shoulder, on his way home on a month’s leave to attend his sister’s marriage.

The technical incompetence of Commander (E) was thoroughly exposed during the sailing. 

In fact, the ERAs created false alarms from time to time and made sure that Commander (E) was in a tizzy.

In due course, the and engine room sailors had really put Commander (E) in a spin. 

The engine-room sailors liked Senior Engineer and wanted to teach Commander (E) a lesson for treating Senior so shabbily.

For the entire sailing, by creating one “defect” after another, the engine-room sailors kept Commander (E) in a state of confusion, anxiety and panic, resulting in the clueless Commander (E) being frequently summoned to the bridge by the Captain who bullshitted the hell out of the Commander (E).

When Senior Engineer returned from leave, the Captain summoned him to his cabin.

“We had a lot of problems during the last sailing,” the Captain said.

“I know, Sir. The ERAs told me. But Sir, you don’t worry. I will get everything shipshape,” Senior said.

“That’s good,” the Captain said.

“May I go, Sir?” Senior asked permission to leave.

The Captain looked at Senior Engineer and said, “There is one more thing. Your Commander (E) has had a very rough time and needs some rest. I am thinking of sending Commander (E) on long leave. Can you manage on your own?”

“Of course, Sir – nobody is indispensable,” Senior Engineer said, tongue-in-cheek.

“Yes. Nobody is indispensable,” the Captain laughed.

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)

Did you like this story?  

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my book of Short Fiction: COCKTAIL
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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
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