In the Army there used to be an appointment called Colonel Commandant. Sometime in the 1970s the Navy decided to imitate the Army and appointed Captain Commandants - one for each branch (X E L S&S). One day I was appointed Liaison Officer to our Captain Commandant (a recently retired Rear Admiral). By sheer co-incidence both of us had studied engineering at the same institution before joining the navy, he in the 1940s and me in the 1970s. He asked me about myself, and when he discovered that we were fellow alumni, he started talking freely with me and told me of his college life and days in the navy. He had a great sense of humour. They didnt make me a Vice Admiral. Instead, they retired me off and made me Captain Commandant and now I am on a Bharat Darshan tour listening to sob stories, he laughed. Sob stories? I asked. He looked at me and said: Dont you know the job of a Captain Commandant? I am supposed to solve problems of officers and sailors of my branch. I hope you dont have any problems? Sir, actually I have a problem - rather a request, I hesitantly said. Speak up - feel free, he said. Sir, I want to get out of this horrible desolate place. Can you please get me transferred back to Bombay? I said. Why? This is the alma mater of our branch. Dont you like instructional duties? he asked. Sir, I am a bachelor, and for a bachelor this place is terrible, I said. He smiled and said, Let me see what I can do. I looked after the Captain Commandant during his busy schedule and was by his side for all the official events - divisions, his talk to officers and sailors, tea party with junior sailors, booze up with senior sailors, and the grand mess night at the wardroom officers mess. Next morning he had a long discussion with the CO while I waited outside in the Staff Officers office. Then we were off to the airport. I spoke to your CO - in fact I also spoke to the Director on phone - regarding your problem, he said. Am I being transferred to Bombay? I asked excitedly. I am afraid not. Your CO is not willing to spare you. And the Director said that you have just come here and they intend keeping you here for at least two years more, he said. I was heartbroken. Seeing the dismay on my face, the Captain Commandant said, Dont worry. We will solve your problem. We will find you a good wife... Sir, please... I exclaimed, bewildered. Well, I cant get you transferred out, so let me do the next best thing to help you out. Once you are married, your problem of loneliness will be solved - this is the best place for newly married couples - 100% accommodation... he said. Sir, please dont pull my leg... I said. I am serious. My wife is into this matchmaking thing - she knows lots of marriageable girls - daughters of naval officers. She will find a suitable bride for you. Just send me your details and I will pass it on to her; he said. I did not send him my details. I did not want to trouble the Captain Commandant to find a bride for me. He had more important things to do. VIKRAM KARVE copyright Vikram Karve @ Vikram Karve
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 09:07:55 +0000
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