Migration – Student Pathway

MIGRATION – THE “STUDENT PATHWAY”

Are You Taking the “Student Pathway” to Migrate for a “Better Life”…?

Musings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

THE “STUDENT PATHWAY”

In the 1970’s – my classmates used the “student pathway” to migrate abroad to the US and settle down there permanently to realize their “American Dream” 

Those days – USA was the most sought after destination for youngsters who wanted to migrate away from India for a “better life”.

In fact – before “liberalization” (1991) – owing to various “socialist” restrictions – the “student pathway” was the only way to migrate and settle down in a foreign country.

“Liberalization” and “Globalization” created new options for aspiring migrants – like the “foreign job” option and “onsite work” option etc – which facilitated migration to a foreign country – but – even now – most aspiring migrants use the “student pathway” route to migrate and settle down in the country of their choice.

During my recent visit to New Zealand – I interacted with many youngsters from India – who were on the “student pathway” to realize their dream of settling down in New Zealand.

Today – in view of various favorable advantages and promising prospects – many youngsters want to migrate to New Zealand – and – they use the “student pathway” – since – New Zealand’s immigration policies include a post-study work pathway for international students who have completed a New Zealand qualification – which lets you find a job and get work experience in a field related to your studies and makes it easier to apply for residence and finally acquire citizenship.

All the youngsters I met in New Zealand – some students – and some working after completing their studies – all of them were desperate to settle down in New Zealand – and – not even a single youngster wanted to return back to India.

(In fact – New Zealand is such a lovely place that even visitors feel like staying on there forever – and – most visitors feel sad when their stay in New Zealand comes to an end and they have to return home)

The youngsters told me that one good plus-point of studying in New Zealand is that you can “earn while you learn” – since students are allowed to work part-time for a specified number of hours every week – and since the hourly “minimum wage” is quite good – students can earn enough to meet their daily needs.

Once they got accustomed to the “better life” in New Zealand – they did not want to return to India – and they wanted to permanently settle down in New Zealand “at any cost”.

I could see this desperate desire for residency (and finally citizenship) in most of the youngsters I met in New Zealand.

One of my friends who has settled down in New Zealand told me that this desperation (to remain in New Zealand) makes youngsters vulnerable to exploitation – especially after they complete their studies and are looking for a job in order to get a work visa – and later – when they want residency – in order to achieve their long term goal is to permanently settle in New Zealand.

She also told me another shocking fact.

She said that it was “our own people” who exploited young Indian migrants the most.

By the term “our own people” – she was referring to erstwhile Indians (who migrated from India to New Zealand many years ago and had got New Zealand Citizenship) – it was they who were exploiting new Indian Migrants the most.

I was shocked to hear this – that – in most cases – new migrants were being exploited by employers in their own ethnic communities.

I did see many young “Indian” migrants working in stores, malls, hotels, restaurants, cafes etc. – but – I was impressed by their “dignity of labour” which is a sign of egalitarian society – it was good to see that students/youngsters were ready to do any type of work to earn some extra money.

In fact – in the very café where my friend and I were sitting – it was an “Indian” migrant who was managing the counter and also serving us.

She told me a few stories – but – I thought they may be apocryphal.

But then – a few days ago – I read three news reports which shocked me.

Here are the url links to the news reports (click url to open on a new page):

1. NZ dream turns to nightmare for international students

URL: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11760721

2. Student Visa: ‘It's not about education’

URL: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11759352

3. ‘Sleep with me if you want your visa’ boss tells student worker

URL: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11760729

Let me add a disclaimer that what is described in these news reports may be aberrations – and may not be representative of the broad reality.

In fact – from my experience of the excellent social life I observed in New Zealand – I feel that these reports may be rare isolated exceptions – and – New Zealand certainly has a superior quality of life than most places.

Yes – New Zealand is a great place to visit, to study, to work – and – if you want – to migrate, reside and settle in.

But – if you are thinking of migrating permanently – you must make yourself aware of various aspects of the realities of life there.

The aim of this article is to generate a bit of awareness.

I do not intend to dissuade youngsters from migrating abroad to realize their dreams of a “better life”.

In fact – I would encourage youngsters to migrate to places where they can achieve their fullest potential and thereby contribute more to the world.

However – aspiring migrants must ensure they are aware of the pros and cons – especially if they are using the “student pathway” – so that they don’t fall victim to “education trafficking” and become vulnerable to exploitation.

EDUCATION TRAFFICKING

A newly coined term “Education Trafficking” refers to the phenomenon of enticing aspiring migrants to take the “student pathway” to get a permanent residency in the country of their choice.

These aspirants pay huge amounts of money to use the “student pathway” to migration since education is expensive in most developed countries.

(It is well known that education has become big business and there are many “stakeholders” who want a share in the pie).

The root cause of the problem of “Education Trafficking” does not lie in the new “host” country to which students want to migrate.

The root cause of the problem lies in the “donor” country “exporting” students – where various “Agents” and “Consultants” mislead and exploit gullible youngsters who are desperate to migrate overseas for a “better life”.

If you want to use the “student pathway” to migrate for a “better life” – please do so by all means – but ensure that you perform “due diligence” and carry out a “reality check” – so that you do not become vulnerable to exploitation once you migrate to the land of your dreams.

----------------

Dear Reader: Have you read my previous posts on my observations during my short stays in New Zealand…?

Here are a few of the URL links: 

DO YOU WANT TO MIGRATE TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY FOR A “BETTER LIFE”…? 

URL: 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/11/do-you-want-to-migrate-abroad-for.html 

BOMBAY in New Zealand – Travel Tales

URL: 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/11/bombay-in-new-zealand-travel-tales.html 

Milford Sound is Awesome

URL: 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/02/milford-sound-fiordland-south-new.html 

WHY DO PEOPLE MIGRATE...?

URL: 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/07/why-do-people-migrate-conversation-with.html 

New Zealand Foodie Memories

URL: 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/01/food-photos-new-zealand-trip.html 

NEW ZEALAND FOOD DIARY OF A PURE VEGETARIAN

URL: 

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/02/food-diary-of-pure-vegetarian-in-new.html

Also – I intend writing a few more articles on my visits to New Zealand – and – I will post them in my blogs in due course for you to read and comment upon. 

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. 

Repost of my post BEWARE OF “EDUCATION TRAFFICKING” posted online earlier at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/12/student-pathway-to-migration-beware-of.html

TATTOO

TATTOO
Ruminations of a Retired Mind
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Getting permanently “inked” seems to be getting increasingly popular day by day.

Some have visible tattoos on their bodies, while some have tattoos in private places of their bodies.

Some get names of their lovers inked on their bodies, maybe as a Public Display of Affection (PDA).

Some like people who have a tattoo, some are indifferent and some disapprove.

There are organisations that do not approve of tattoos.

A young man told me that he wanted to join the Army but could not do so since he had a Tattoo.

I was surprised.

I did not know that the Army does not allow individuals with Tattoos to join up.

Traditionally, Tattoos were associated with Navy Sailors.

Merchant Seamen and Naval Sailors, who sailed across the high seas to distant lands, came back with exotic tattoos inked on their bodies as a testimony to their travels and as a permanent memory of the ports they had visited.

So, the tradition of tattooing, or permanently inking your body, soon became associated with sailors – men who sailed the high seas to exotic destinations.

I do not know whether the Indian Navy allows tattoos.

I do not have a tattoo nor did I see any of my shipmates get themselves inked with tattoos on their bodies, but I have seen a few merchant navy sailors with tattoos.

Do the Indian Army and Air Force allow tattoos?

I do not know.

But I once saw an Army wife with a beautiful tattoo inked on her body at a most curious place.

I once read a story about a lovey-dovey celebrity couple who got each other’s names tattooed, permanently inked, on their bodies as an expression of mutual love.

A few years later, the lovers had a break up and separated.

Now, after the break up, the tattoo of love became a symbol of hate, and they wanted to get their tattoos removed, and in the laborious process they ended up damaging their skin.

Tattoos are painful to get inked – so I really wonder why people are willing to undergo pain just to ink their skin.

I never felt the need to get a tattoo.

I have always wondered why so many people, especially celebrities, like to ink their bodies permanently with tattoos.

Let us try to answer the moot question, try to fathom the mysterious question:

Why Do People Have Tattoos ?

WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE TATTOOS

Whenever I see a person with a tattoo, I get intrigued.

Why do people have tattoos made on their body?

Why do some beautiful persons stain and blemish their soft flawless skin?

Why do they go through the expensive and painful process of inking?

What is the reason people want to have a tattoo? 

In order to understand this mystery I decided to go into the basics of human behavior.

Tell me: “Why do you behave in the way you do?”

You behave in a certain way to satisfy your needs at that point of time.

In fact, all your behaviour is governed by your intrinsic motivation to satisfy your needs.

Yes, your needs influence your behaviour.

HUMAN BEHAVIOUR IN A NUTSHELL 

The process of human behavior can be summarized in four steps:

1. A need is aroused within you

2. You behave in a way to satisfy the need

3. The need is satisfied

4. You relax

So, what do you think are the “needs” that motivate a person to have a tattoo?

What are the “needs” that motivated you to get a tattoo, if you already have a tattoo?

Or, if you intend to get a tattoo, what is motivating you get your body inked?

WHAT “NEED” MOTIVATED YOU TO HAVE A TATTOO

Do you have a tattoo?

Yes?

Do tell us:

What was the “need” you wanted to satisfy by having a tattoo?

Was it the need for thrill and adventure?

Did you have a tattoo to satisfy your need to seek attention?

Or is your tattoo your way of expressing your sense of rebellion in order to satisfy your needs for freedom or self-expression?

Did you have a tattoo due to peer pressure to satisfy your need to belong or conformance or identification with a group?

Historically, tattoos were used to brand slaves – so maybe you wanted to be “branded” as someone’s “slave” so you got that person’s name tattooed on your body.

Is that the reason you got your lover’s name tattooed on your body – to fulfill your need to show off your love or your need to be dominated.

Did you want to display to the world that you “belong” to your lover and you are his “slave” and vice versa?

Is your tattoo a Public Display of Affection (PDA) ?

What will happen if you break up with your lover whose name is tattooed on your body?

Someone once told me that people have secret tattoos in hidden places on the body which no one can see – like at the base of the spine on the lower back just above the derriere.

It is a mystery as to why people have such tattoos, but obviously they are satisfying some need.

Maybe, some have a need for secrecy or sensuality or exclusivity.

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO PERMANENTLY INK YOUR BODY WITH A TATTOO ?

They say that tattoos are expensive, painful and permanent.

I also heard that tattoo removal is even more expensive and painful.

I read an article once that in many cases tattoo removal may be ineffective.

I do not know whether it is true, but someone told me that it is impossible to actually remove a tattoo – you can lighten it, nothing more.

And you may never get back the flawless skin that you had before you got the tattoo done. 

If your skin is sensitive, it may get damaged or discoloured forever.

I am sure that before a person decides to have a tattoo done on their body, they know all these implications.

But their “need” is so strong and overpowering that it motivates them to go ahead and satisfy their need by getting a tattoo.

Like I said earlier, historically, tattoos were used to brand slaves

In ancient times, tattoos were used as a mode of communication between spies.

Once upon a time, members of some mafia used to wear symbolic tattoos to identify as members of a certain crime syndicate.

Seamen and sailors came back with tattoos, a tradition that would soon become associated with men of the sea.

But all this happened in ancient times.

I wonder why so many people have tattoos in this modern age.

If you have a tattoo, or intend getting a tattoo, maybe you can answer this question and tell us:

“Why do you want to have a tattoo?”

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. Whether to tattoo or not to have a tattoo is your prerogative, but do so with due diligence.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. All examples and tips are illustrative in nature. 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)

     

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

Revised and Updated version of my Article First Posted by me Vikram Karve in this blog at 8/26/2013 04:49:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/08/tattoo-why-do-you-have-tattoo.html

THE NAVY IS NOT FOR JOB HOPPERS - A CAREER IN THE DEFENCE SERVICES IS A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

A MILITARY CAREER IN THE NAVY ARMY AIR FORCE

Part 2

A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. Please read this blog post only if you have a sense of humour.

2. 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.

3. 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

Part 2 - THE NAVY IS NOT FOR JOB HOPPERS

A CAREER IN THE DEFENCE SERVICES IS A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

Continued from Part 1 - ATTITUDE MATTERS MORE THAN APTITUDE

url link:

http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/05/a-military-career-in-navy-attitude.html

THE NAVY IS A LIFELONG OBLIGATION AND A LONG TERM COMMITMENT

(Friends in the Army and Air Force told me that the same applies to the army and air force, so why was I mentioning only the Navy in my article? Well, what I have to say may indeed apply to the army and air force but I have first hand knowledge of the navy. However, like my friends say I also do feel that most aspects do apply to the sister services as well, so this may be worth reading even if you are thinking of joining the army or air force)

To recap, let us see the salient attributes of a Navy Career which makes the Navy a unique way of life and not just a mere job.

It is this distinctive “way of life” that makes a career in the armed forces different from a career in the civilian organisations, public sector and private sector industries, MNCs and IT Sectors and the business world.

If you have read Part 1 of this series, you may recall that there are seven unique characteristics that govern your career in the navy:

1. HOLISTIC ORIENTATION

2. LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT

3. SLOW CAREER PROGRESS, MODEST CAREER PROSPECTS AND MODERATE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

4. NON-SPECIALISED CAREER PATH DUE TO “JACK OF ALL TRADES” CAREER PLANNING APPROACH AND “BROAD-SPECTRUM” HUMAN RESOURCE (HR) MANAGEMENT POLICY

5. STRUCTURED REGIMENTATION AND EMPHASIS ON CONFORMANCE – RIGID RULE BASED ORTHODOX TRADITION GOVERNED CONFORMIST ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

6. PERIPATETIC NOMADIC EXISTENCE – VARIABLE AND CHANGEABLE TYPE OF WORK AND UNSTABLE FAMILY LIFE

7. EARLY RETIREMENT AGE RESULTING IN UNDER-EXPLOITATION OF POTENTIAL AND WASTAGE OF PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY

In PART 1 we discussed the first attribute “HOLISTIC ORIENTATION” based on the HR Concept of “Total Inclusion” due to which in the Navy all the three aspects of your life (“Work Life”, “Social Life” and “Personal Life”) are integrated into a single whole. 

Today, in Part 2, let us discuss the second point: “LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT” 

Unlike most jobs in the “civvy street” whose time span may vary from short-term to medium-term, a career in the navy is a permanent job akin to lifetime employment and entails a lifelong obligation and a long term commitment. 

It is similar for the army and air force too, and you need to understand this aspect very clearly before you think of joining the defence services. 

In order to make this point of “Lifetime Employment” clear, let me tell you a few stories:

A few years ago, a smart young IT “Techie” told me that he wanted to quit his job.

He was thinking of joining the navy or army.

I was taken aback.

He was a B. Tech, in Computer Engineering from a premier institution and was working for over three years in a prestigious Software Firm. 

“Why this sudden decision?” I asked.

“I am bored with my job. I want a change,” he said.

“But suppose you don’t like your job in the navy. Suppose you get bored over there as well?” I asked.

“Then I’ll quit the navy and look for something else,” he said.

“You won’t be able to,” I said.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

I explained to him that a career in the navy is a permanent job akin to lifetime employment and entails a lifelong obligation and a long term commitment.

I told him that the navy was an excellent career, but as compared to the civilian jobs, the defence services had some peculiar Human Resource (HR) Management policies which he must clearly understand before he joined the navy.

I told him that one salient feature of a career in the army, navy or air force was the unique concept of “LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT”.

“Once you join, you cannot quit easily. In fact, it is almost impossible to leave during the first few years of your naval career,” I told him.

“Really?” he asked.

“Yes,” I said, “it is like this. In the civilian industry, it is a two way street. You can be fired. But you can resign too, after giving due notice, as per your terms of employment or contract. Yes, they can fire you, but you too can quit if you want to. Isn’t it?”

“Yes,” he said.

“In the navy, it is a one-way street. They can fire you whenever they want. Yes, they can sack you anytime if they want to. But you cannot quit whenever you want to. You cannot just hand in your application and resign. Your resignation has to be formally approved and till then you have to keep serving the navy.”

“What if I just give my resignation and walk off?”

“You will marked ‘Run’ and declared Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL). They’ll catch you and severely punish you, maybe even lock you up.”

“What?” the young man looked at me, in bewilderment.

“Look here. I am not trying to dissuade you from joining the navy. The navy is a good career and by all means join the navy, but you must do so with your eyes open after considering all the pros and cons.”

“What about the other services, the army or air force?”

“Broadly speaking, it is similar – all follow the “lifetime employment” concept. Even if you opt for a short service commission you are obligated to serve the entire mandatory contract period of 7 or 10 years. You can’t leave in between.”

He did not seem to believe me, so I told him the story of a young girl from my neighbourhood who had joined the army as a short service commission (SSC) lady officer.

After two years, she got married to a civilian “Techie” working in Pune.

She was posted to a distant field area and wanted to quit and live with her husband in Pune.

She could not leave the army and had to serve out the remaining years of her SSC contract living separately from her husband – yes, a long distance marriage in the very first few years of her married life – a pity, isn’t it?

Because of all this turmoil they postponed having kids too till she finally managed to get out and settle down to matrimonial bliss.

I told him about my ex navy friend “D”, a bright service minded and highly competent ex-NDA officer, who was unexpectedly superseded for promotion for Captain. 

He was very upset and disappointed at not being promoted. 

But he took the setback in his stride and decided to explore opportunities in the “civvy street”.

He had completed 20 years of service, his future career in the navy looked quite bleak, so he wanted to quit the navy to commence a second innings in the civilian world.

Soon, he had got a very lucrative job offer. They wanted him to join as early as possible since the position was vacant.

So he had put up his papers for premature retirement and thought he would be relieved in a month or two, especially since he was passed over for promotion.

To his dismay, he was informed that he would be allowed to leave the navy only after being superseded three times and this would take two years more.

He realized that this delay would cost him the job offer and he spent the next few months under great stress trying his level best, pulling strings, making all out efforts to get out of the navy.

It was a harrowing time for him, but to his great relief he was allowed to leave after a few months of struggle.

Luckily for him, the job offer was still open, but he left the navy a bitter man since he felt that despite his exemplary service the navy had not treated him properly.

First, they did not give him the promotion he deserved, and then, they did not allow him to quit the navy smoothly and unnecessarily harassed him by delaying his resignation and made him run from pillar to post just to get out of the navy .

The “Techie” looked at me. He seemed perplexed, confused.

“Do one thing,” I told him.

“What?” he asked.

“Don’t listen to old fogies like me. Go and meet some young army, navy and air force officers of the technical branches and ask them. They will give you the right picture.”

That’s what the young man did. He went over to various army establishments in Pune and met young army and air force officers. He went down to Mumbai and met a few young naval officers.

Did he join the navy, or army?

Obviously not.

He did a bit of “job hopping” in the IT industry, each job better than the previous one.

The same young “Techie” came to meet me the other day to thank me for the advice I had given him a few years ago.

He had come to say good bye.

He had been recently promoted and was enjoying his job.

He was on his way to America for a rather lucrative and challenging “on site” assignment as project leader.

In today’s modern post-liberalization world, the concept of “lifetime employment” seems rather antiquated.

In the civilian world, especially in the IT industry, job-hopping (the practice of changing jobs frequently) is the norm, essentially as a means of quick financial gain or faster career advancement.

At a recent alumni meet I met an engineer working in the IT industry.

He said that his loyalty is towards making money, rather than to any one company.

He switched jobs frequently (six times in the last fifteen years) and he has gained a lot by virtue of job changes.

He told me that his salary has increased significantly compared to his colleagues who have stayed with the same company throughout their career

Today’s youngsters have a job-hopping mindset and job hopping is practically a way of life.

Nowadays, job hopping is the norm rather than an exception.

Someone told me that in the IT and finance, on the average, the number of years people stay in a given job is only 4 years, which allows them to do as many as 8 to 10 jobs in a lifetime.

Gone is the idea of spending four decades at one company till retirement on attaining the age of superannuation.

Young upwardly mobile youngsters refuse to get stuck in a job that they absolutely hate.

Job hopping has benefits.

Disappointment in one career field can pave the way to discovering a more meaningful and personally fulfilling direction.

Job hopping enables you to move up in position and in pay much faster and, most importantly, learn new things and acquire new skills.

Today’s employers are reluctant to hire people who have been at one place for several years, or for their whole work history.

It is felt that such “static” people are not ambitious enough or are so ingrained in a particular culture or way of thinking that they may not be able to adapt to a new environment.

Job hoppers are seen as go-getters and fast-trackers, whereas those who have worked in just one organisation for many years are considered sluggish losers, since such “static” people are not ambitious enough or are so ingrained in a particular culture or way of thinking that they won't be able to adapt to a new environment.

Maybe this is one reason why we ex-servicemen do not get the level of jobs we deserve commensurate with our qualifications, talent and experience.

For example, I have seen many M. Tech. qualified officers employed as Facility Managers, Trainers or in HR Departments whereas they deserved front-line top management positions, considering their abilities, qualifications and experience.

Yes, in the navy too you “hop” from job to job. 

But this happens within the navy. 

And this “job hopping” within the navy does not bring you quick financial gain or faster career advancement. 

In the navy, and the army, career progress is slow and you patiently wait for your turn. 

Your compensation package is moderate and does not depend on your performance. 

Your salary is fixed and linked to your seniority and years of service. 

The only thing which happens is that, in the navy, you become “a jack of all trades”.

Thus, a career in the navy entails slow career progress and a non-specialized career path.

We will discuss these two aspects of a career in the defence services in the next episode.

Meanwhile, before I end this part, let me tell you another apocryphal story, of unintended consequences of the “Lifetime Employment” policy followed by the defence services.

(Please note that this yarn is fiction, an apocryphal story, the characters are imaginary and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental)

Cadet “A” who was a trainee at NDA became acquainted with and started weekend dating “B” a smart girl studying in a premier college in Pune.

Three years later, “A” completed his NDA training and was off for sea training and “B” finished her graduation and joined the MBA course at an elite B- School in Pune.

They kept corresponding with each other and realized that they had fallen in love.

“A” opted for the Engineering Branch of the Navy so that he would be at the training ship at Lonavala (near Pune) for the next three years for his degree engineering course. This proximity to Pune would enable him to meet his lady-love frequently.

“B” finished her MBA in Finance and got a good job as an investment banker in Mumbai.

“A” too managed to get posted to Mumbai after his training.

“A” and “B” got married and enjoyed a few blissful years of married life.

Them, “A” was transferred out of Mumbai.

He wanted “B” to move with him to the new place.

But “B” was reluctant to move. She was doing well in her job and her career was just taking off. Besides, there was no scope for her in the new place where “A” was posted, which was a comparatively small town.

So, the long distance marriage of “A” and “B” began.

Though he tried desperately, “A” could not manage to come back to Mumbai ( a station in high demand) and so “A” and “B” spent the next few years living separately.

I told you that it was a “love marriage” so “A” and “B” could not bear the separation it any longer, and one day “A” rang up “B” and told her to quit her job.

“B” retorted that it was “A” who should quit the navy, since “B” was earning much more than “A” and her career prospects were much brighter.

She said, that even of she quit her present job, as an investment banker, job opportunities for her were in big cities, especially Mumbai. Besides, “A” would also be able to find a civilian job in Mumbai.

“A” felt that “B” had a point  - she was earning much more than him, she had brighter career prospects and “A” would easily get a job in Mumbai once he quit the navy. In fact, he already had a prospective job offer.

So “A” put in an application to quit the navy.

Many years have passed, and he is still waiting – the stark realization of signing up for “Lifetime Employment” dawning upon him.

Meanwhile “A” and “B” have got used to living as “married bachelors”.

Earlier, once a girl married a defence officer, she used to go along with him wherever he was posted as a “memsahib”, playing second fiddle as a full time housewife (homemaker).

Nowadays, things have changed. Women are pursuing their professional careers very seriously and are not willing to “sacrifice” their careers. Modern women want to be financially independent and do not like to become “second fiddle” housewives dependent on their husbands. Working women do not want to give up their jobs and go to live with their “fauji” husbands to some back-of-beyond place.

Owing to all this, it is no wonder, that an unintended consequence of the defence services policy of “Lifetime Employment” is that defence officers are no longer much sought after in the “marriage market’. Maybe it is the same for women officers of the defence services as well and, probably, that is why you see an increasing number of marriages between male and female defence officers within the service.

At the outset, I told you that “The Navy is not a job. The Navy is a way of life” and “Lifetime Employment” is the way of life in the navy.

Do you have the mental make-up, the mindset, the attitude for lifelong obligation and long term commitment towards the navy (or the army or air force)?

Like I said, for a career in the defence services, attitude matters more than aptitude.

End of Part 2 …

To be Continued in Part 3 …

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.

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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.

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