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Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Turning Point


My superior a Rear Admiral looked through his reading glasses and stared at me with the raised eyebrows. It was quite unnerving as this was one moment for which I had mentally rehearsed. At the spur of the moment  I was trying to gather my wits sitting on a chair opposite to him, in his spacious room.

‘Well what is wrong, why do you want to leave the Navy’ he queried.

My appointment had been fixed with him the previous day, by my Director with whom I was serving at the Headquarters for almost three years.

‘Sir,  I have enjoyed my work  immensely but am now am looking for a change ‘ I replied. ‘ I wish to explore the outside world' I continued’. After having a discussion  which lasted almost half an hour explaining the virtues of continuing as the future was bright, he gave in and finally told me, ‘Ok, find a job and let me know’!

I had been contemplating a change in career but to leave a well -paying job with security, and honor of having served the country, was not an easy decision.  I was the only earning member at home and calling it quits at this stage with host of responsibilities made it even more difficult.

Next three months went in floating my CV to various companies; I kept waiting for the dame luck to smile at me. Sometimes, I was almost there but then the trail died down. There were moments of frustration as the time kept ticking away, but I never lost hope. One day, I was called for an interview with an MNC and then got another call after a month, with the VP visiting fom Israel. It lasted for forty five minutes and the most assuring words told by them which I can never forget is, ‘We will wait till you get released from the Navy’!

The procedure for quitting was set into motion but as I was in the zone of promotion, it was a very tough going. Eventually, with the support coming from my superiors I got the approval for resignation on Children’s Day ! It was a Saturday, when I hung my boots and uniform to step out in yet another brave new world. From Monday, I was in the new job and the work environment was a sea change from what I had seen in twenty odd years in the Navy! I got a chance to work with youngsters who were almost half my age and grappling with the new ways of working and in techno savvy environment was challenging, as well as, enjoyable at the same time. There has been no looking back since then and I have enjoyed every moment of life! ( https://housing.com/.)#StartANewLife

27 comments:

  1. Curious to know what organization/domain you switched into and did it prove to be what you dreamt it would be! :)

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    1. I joined the telecom world and am working with the Swedish company now for over a decade! All dreams have come true, Akanksha:)

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  2. Like Akansha said...we would love to know more.
    I am glad you dedicated to switch. It was indeed a bold move.

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    1. Maybe I will write another post on post Navy days, Red:) I am lucky to be where I am today, as I wrote in my reply to Akanksha:)

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  3. Must have been a big change for you. Glad it worked out well. Given the economic scenario, it takes courage to opt for a change. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they don't. Well, not the way we want them to. Regardless, one has to make the most of what destiny serves.

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    1. Indeed it was Alka! Switching tracks was a tough decision, but rewarding:)

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  4. WOWWOWO sir hats off to you.. taking that step, I dont have that courage I wish I can .. BUt good you did sir and heres wishing all the best always sir..
    and I now know what field you moved into ..

    Bikram's

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    1. Thanks a ton Bikram for those words! I love what I do:)

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  5. A hard decision - but glad it lead to a bright future too.

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  6. It takes guts to disturb a stable life and chase ones dreams....Thats inspiring Rahul :)

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    1. Thank you Jaishree:) Sometimes chasing dreams is good is what I realized in all these years!

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  7. You had/have the best of both worlds - in and out of the navy ! Enjoy the good times.

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    1. Absolutely true, Rama1 I am fortunate indeed:)

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  8. You are an inspiration.
    Enjoy your life even more now. :)

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    1. Welcome to my blog Lux! A big thanks for that flattering comment:)

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  9. Ah! so that's how it happened. :)
    It's so nice to see that you embrace the present. Stay happy.

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    1. So now yyou know the story:) Thanks again for your kind wishes, Divya and for reading all older posts too!

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  10. You took a big risk but you had the courage to make a go of it.I know from my own experience that adjusting to civilian ways after an army life is demanding.

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    1. Thanks Induji! God has been kind to havegiven me the opportunites and I grabbed them without carrying any baggage from the past:)

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  11. Have you heard of Rear Adm L R Mehta?

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    1. Sure, I have! He was the Chief of Material at Naval Headquarers! However, I do not know him personally:)

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  12. To take such a big decision in settled life, we need daring, flexibility, patience and versatility - which you have....an inspiring write-up! :)

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  13. I am sure taking a voluntary retirement from the Navy wasn't an easy decision. But you did it anyway and it turned out to be a good one.
    As Ramakrishnan Sir said- you have lived a good life both in and out of navy...:)

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    1. One has to take some calculated risk in life and this one sure was a good dcision in retrospect, Monica!

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  14. I big thanks Ashwini, but honestly I just try to follow my heart and god was kind to make my dreams come true!

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