From the Ganges to the Globe: My Journey Beyond the Sea

I was born in a small village in Bhadohi district of Uttar Pradesh — a place where dreams often stopped at the edge of the fields and ambitions were measured in acres, not aspirations. My early schooling was in Hindi medium, far removed from the English-speaking world that would later define my professional life.

Yet, from those narrow dusty lanes, my journey somehow led me to the vast oceans and bustling ports of the world — a journey stitched together with determination, curiosity, and a quiet refusal to give up.

From cracking the IIT-JEE as a small-town boy, to commanding ships as a Merchant Navy Captain, and now steering the commercial operations of a global shipping company in Singapore — every phase has been a different sea, with its own tides and tempests.

Anchoring the Dream: From a Village Boy to T.S. Chanakya

For many in my village, “IIT” was not a real place — it was a rumor whispered by people who read English newspapers. So when I cracked the IIT-JEE, the entire village celebrated as if we had won the World Cup.

With an All-India Rank of 4132, I could have easily become a small-town celebrity today — but back then, it wasn’t good enough for the top IITs. My choices were limited: a regional engineering college or something completely different — Merchant Navy.

For a boy from a humble background, the idea of sailing the world and earning in dollars was too fragrant a temptation to ignore. That’s how I joined T.S. Chanakya, India’s premier maritime training institute — without knowing the difference between a ship and a boat!

Chanakya was tough — a world of drills, discipline, and decimals — but it taught me how curiosity and hard work can outshine background. When I was awarded the All-Round Best Cadet, I realized that the compass of effort always points north, no matter where you begin.

Sailing into the World: Thirteen Years at Sea

My seafaring life began with an oil major as a Deck Cadet, and over thirteen years, I rose through the ranks to become Master. I sailed with ship-owning and management companies, working on tankers, bulkers, and even an FSO.

The sea quickly became my greatest teacher. It taught me leadership when the weather turned rough, teamwork when the crew came from six countries, and humility when the ocean reminded me who was in charge.

There were nights when the stars were the only GPS, and days when the horizon looked endless — but those moments built something steady inside me.

Somewhere between watches and waves, I also completed my MICS (Member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers) exams — because apparently, managing storms wasn’t challenging enough. That decision, however, planted the first seeds of my later move into commercial shipping.

Shifting Shores: From Navigation to Management

In 2015, after more than a decade at sea, I decided it was time to step onto solid ground — though anyone who’s sailed knows that nothing feels stranger than land after years of rolling decks.

My first shore assignment was in the HSSEQA department, overseeing a fleet of over 150 vessels. It was my introduction to the world of policies, processes, and PowerPoints — a very different kind of navigation.

I learned that managing safety systems and compliance frameworks was not very different from handling a bridge team — both require attention, coordination, and calm under pressure.

While working full-time, I pursued an MBA (with Distinction) from Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK. That phase reintroduced me to academic rigor, case studies, and sleepless nights — just like being at sea, but with more coffee and fewer waves.

Navigating Commercial Waters: The Business of Shipping

In 2020, I moved from the technical to the commercial arm of the Executive Group, joining Adhart Shipping Pte. Ltd. as Commercial Manager.

Now, I lead a team handling both bulk carriers and tankers, managing everything from pre-fixture negotiations, charter party contracts, and P&L reviews to voyage optimization, risk management, and cargo operations.

Commercial shipping fascinates me because it sits at the crossroads of math, markets, and human instinct. Every fixture is a small battle of timing and temperament — where a fraction of a dollar per ton can make or break a deal.

Sometimes I joke that “chartering is 50% analysis, 50% intuition, and 100% stress.” But when a voyage goes perfectly — the laytime clicks, the fuel burns match, and the client smiles — it feels just like bringing a ship safely to harbor.

Even though I no longer stand on the bridge, the sense of navigation hasn’t left me. Only now, I navigate contracts instead of currents and markets instead of monsoons.

Beyond the Horizon: The Writer Within

Amid spreadsheets and shipping routes, another tide quietly flows through my life — Hindi literature.

Writing began as a companion during long voyages, when silence stretched as far as the sea. Over time, it became a second identity.

My first Hindi novel, “Indiaapa” (Hind Yugm, 2018), holds the distinction of being the first Hindi novel published from Singapore. My second, “Okka-Bokka” (Lokbharti, Rajkamal Prakashan Group, 2024), explores migration and identity through the eyes of expatriates in Singapore.

I’ve also published four poetry collections — Weekend Wali Kavita, Jahazi, Betarteeb, and Gullak — and I continue to run my YouTube and social media series “Weekend Wali Kavita” and “Weekend Wali Chitthi.”

On weekends, I host “Weekend Wali Charcha,” a live Instagram show where I talk to writers and artists from around the world. These sessions are my creative recharge — proof that even in a commercial manager’s life, there’s room for verse and vulnerability.

Balancing the corporate and creative has been deeply rewarding — it keeps the heart soft while the head stays sharp.

Running the Extra Mile

Beyond ships and stories, I find my peace on running tracks. Long-distance running has become my meditation — I’ve run several marathons across Asia.

Running, like shipping, teaches rhythm and endurance: don’t sprint the start, pace the journey, and finish strong — preferably before the water station closes. 

Lessons for Mariners Transitioning Ashore

Having lived both lives — sea and shore — I often meet officers planning their transition. Many are unsure where to begin. Here’s my humble compass:

1. Plan Early: Start exploring before you hang up your epaulettes. The best transitions are charted, not drifted.
2. Invest in Learning: Qualifications like ICS or an MBA don’t just decorate your CV — they open doors.
3. Translate Sea Skills: Leadership, resilience, and teamwork are universal currencies. Learn to express them in business language.
4. Network with Purpose: Platforms like Sea and Beyond can guide you — engage, ask, learn, and stay visible.
5. Stay Open: The shore has many ports — commercial, technical, education, sustainability, or even entrepreneurship. Explore fearlessly.
6. Be Patient: Shore jobs don’t have a “full ahead” telegraph. Give yourself time to adjust your sails.

Full Circle

From the dusty lanes of Bhadohi to the boardrooms of Singapore, my life has been less about arrival and more about evolution.

The sea taught me courage, the shore taught me perspective, and literature taught me empathy.

If there’s one truth I’ve learned, it’s this — you don’t have to choose between profession and passion. When balanced well, both can sail in the same direction.

Because at the end of the day, life is like the ocean — vast, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding, if only you keep sailing beyond.