WHY HAVE I NAMED MY VENTURE ISV CLUB?

It was the summer of 2016 when I had successfully completed the tenure of?Aide-de-Camp. I had gotten a deep insight into the functioning of the military top brass. I had garnered pertinent insight into the methodology of execution of theatre level Tri-services operations. I had gathered a broad spectrum of experience of liaising with multiple senior stake holders of the government, the civil and the military agencies. Clientele relationship building was at a premium.

I got the news that I was chosen to Command a Warship at Sea. The warship belonged to a Squadron consisting of 17 such similar warships. By the virtue of being the senior most Captain in the squadron, I was to discharge the duties of Squadron Commander and the Senior Officer as well. These ships are called Indian Naval Immediate Support Vessels, viz., ISVs, responsible to defend the Oilfield Exploration Areas. Hence the acronym?ISV?for this venture, of course with a different standing. Oil – the black gold contributes immensely to a nation’s economy. It was indeed a matter of great pride and honour to embark the?India Today Group?and shoot a documentary titled “Defenders of India – Story of India’s Sea Horses” to showcase ISV operations, which was telecasted on 26th January 2017. A full clip of the same can be seen?here.

This appointment has been the most critical, intriguing and one of the deepest learning experience during my service in the Navy. I was exposed to the highest levels of leadership and deepest bottoms of crisis, wherein I had to respond with elan, confidence, alacrity and most importantly a complete sense of responsibility.

The zeal, vigour and the adrenaline rush that I experienced in my day-to-day strategic operations whilst setting the order of business correct was exceptional. I could feel every moment as a defining moment in that I was arching myself continuously to support, lead and direct 16 commissioned officers, 102 men and of course 17 warships.

A source of deep inspiration and a role model for me is?Captain (IN) Mahendranath Mulla, Mahavir Chakra (Posthumous). He expounded that ‘lead by example’ is the foundation of being able to successfully command at sea. During this tenure as the Commanding Officer, in an unfortunate incident, during an operation in an oilfield, one of my sailors fell into the sea. Instinctively and without second thought, I jumped into the sea behind him and managed to rescue him. There was no consideration for personal safety and the single continuous thought driving me on, was how would I be able to live with myself if I let a brother die at sea? This incident became an example of conscientious leadership for the crew of Immediate Support Vessels. The sailor and his family till date hold me in high regard. I am satisfied that I was able to fulfil my oath of serving ‘even to the peril of life’ taken at the Indian Naval Academy. I feel complete and gratified that I was able to respond in crisis keeping in mind the ethos and the highest traditions of the Indian Navy.

"If serving is below you then leadership is beyond you" is the core value with which I have since childhood lived my life. Something that is a big take away is ‘Coolness in Action and Calmness in Crisis‘. I often tell my students that if you are able to imbibe this quality, cracking SSB will be a matter of time. Yes, the word?ISV?is very near and dear to me.