BY CAPTAIN MILIND HASTAK 

 

ON 31 July 1995 after spending 20 years in the Indian Navy finally I hung my uniform and boots (A phrase used for ‘Retired’). My so called ‘second innings’ had begun. My family was shifted a year earlier to Nagpur and they shifted at the residence of my Father Wg Cdr M G Hastak. I had qualified in the Master Mariner Course in Merchant Navy which qualified me to take up Command of a Merchant Vessel at sea. I sailed on Foreign Going Merchant Vessels for 5 years during which I was Globe Trotting. After having been to over 30 ports all over the world, I wanted to stay close to the motherland, so I shifted to a semi sea job in dredging corporation of India where I served for 10 years. After spending a total of 15 years in Commercial Navy, I finally came back home. My wife and family had spent trying time of separation but they cooperated wonderfully and finally the sailor in me had ‘swallowed the anchor’ (Naval term for retirement). I continued to take up jobs connected with the sea .

 

I took over as dredging consultant in a company called Sical Logistics where I was in their shore office stationed in one of the ports in India. I successfully completed dredging projects in Mangalore, Karaikal and Paradeep ports and thereafter shifted to their offshore Department in Mumbai. During this period in Nagpur, I started consultancy services for guiding the Youth in our country to take up a sea career. I was the founder of ‘Marine Consultancy’ in Nagpur. Soon I also took over as Commandant of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj Armed Forces Preparatory Institute where we trained students after 10th Std to join in the Officer Cadre of Armed Forces. I joined Rotary Club of Nagpur Fort and within few years became the President of that Club. During my Presidentship our Club won many awards at the District and International level. I joined the Indian “ Ex Services League, Nagpur Chapter and became President of the League till 2012. I am presently an Advisor in the League.

 

I also joined Masonic Club, and was a Free Mason for a couple of years. My Dad who was extremely active in the society passed away in the year 2016. After my father passed away, myself and my wife started looking after ‘Antarbharati Ashram, Khamla’ which was school for children of slum areas . The school was started by my mother with 5 children and today it has over 100 children in KG1 and KG2 classes and around 40 in crèche. After 9 years with Sical Logistics , I left that company and took up an office Job in Albatross Shipping with office in Mumbai. At the age of 69, I have left my job with Albatross Shipping after serving in that company for 2 years . Have I finally retired? I am not comfortable with this word so I say I have Re-attired into a different role. Serve the Nation as a soldier and a true citizen is my motto. The words ‘bored with life’ do not exist in my dictionary. I am a passionate singer and a writer. I spend a lot of time to pursue my passions. I realise that I have actually Re-attired and continue with the same zest as when I was in uniformed service.