An Unexpected Thing- A Writing Challenge

(The Most Beautiful Thing That Happened Unexpectedly)

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Stories of gratitude and loyalty in the armed forces go beyond the battlefield. They highlight the deep, unbreakable bonds between soldiers, their units, and the citizens they protect. Throughout my career in the Indian Navy, I have been blessed in abundance with these qualities, along with unquestionable integrity. Yet, looking back, it is an absolute paradox that these very virtues — loyalty, gratitude, and honesty — became a mandatory requirement for my survival, even as they repeatedly put me in situations where I could have been thrown out or jailed.

There is an ancient proverb often attributed to the Indian philosopher Chanakya: “Straight trees are cut first, and honest people are screwed first.” It means that overly honest and straightforward people are often the first to be targeted or taken advantage of, just as the straightest, unbent trees are the first to be chopped down for wood. For a long time, my career felt like a living testament to Chanakya’s warning.

My unwavering loyalty belonged to my first Captain, a living legend, Vice Admiral S. Jain. However, the shifting tides of naval politics soon brought a change in leadership. The late Admiral Ramdas, backed by Admiral Vishnu Bhagwat and the political machinery of the Congress and Communist parties of the time, rose to become the Chief of the Naval Staff. Interestingly, Ramdas carried the historical baggage of having a ship sink under his command during an operation.

Because of my open admiration and gratitude for Vice Admiral S Jain, I quickly found myself in the crosshairs of the new establishment. I was bluntly warned that my career would be over if I continued to sing the praises of VADM S. Jain.

They meant business. In an attempt to break my spirit or catch me faltering, they strategically posted me to ships commanded by their “blue-eyed boys” — the chosen favorites of the leadership. It felt like a setup, a mandatory gauntlet I had to run, with the odds heavily stacked against me.

But integrity is a shield, not just a vulnerability. Instead of finding a reason to court-martial me, the tables turned. While serving under one of these favoured commanding officers, I caught him red-handed stealing.

The system could no longer suppress the truth. In a stunning, unexpected turn of events — a situation where I had completely reconciled myself to the fact that even God might not be able to help my career — justice prevailed. Not only was I vindicated, but I was also promoted to Captain and appointed Director of HR.

This unexpected salvation came in the form of another living legend, Vice Admiral H.W. Johnson, who was then heading the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy. His fair leadership and adherence to merit acted as a protective umbrella, turning what seemed like the end of my road into a triumphant new chapter.

In the military, we often talk about tactical manoeuvres and battlefield strategies. But my journey taught me that the hardest battles are sometimes fought within the corridors of bureaucracy, armed only with your character. Loyalty and integrity might make you a “straight tree” in a forest of curves, but when the storms hit, it is that very deep-rooted strength that keeps you standing.

Tagging Monika Mahadev and Diya Nagarkoti for my entry for this writing challenge🌍✨

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