The Indian Navy celebrates 4th December as Navy Day, to commemorate its achievements and its role in Operation Trident against Pakistan during the Indo-Pak War of 1971. The Indian Navy is a well balanced three-dimensional force, capable of operating above, on and under the surface of the oceans, and safe guards our national interests.

The theme for Navy Day 2022 is Swarnim Vijay Varsh, marking 50 years of India’s triumph in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Navy Day celebrations stretch for over a week, which is called Navy Week, and comprises of functions/activities to raise awareness among the general public about the role of the Indian Navy. On most naval bases, the warships and aircrafts of the Indian Navy are accessible to visitors during Navy Week open house.

The Indian Navy plays a significant role in securing the marine borders of the nation as well as accelerating the international relations of India through various means like seaport visits, joint ventures, patriotic missions, calamity relief, and many others. The modern-day Indian Navy has been transformed in order to improve its position in the Indian Ocean and beyond. The invocation to Lord Varuna (The Sea God) in the Vedas was adopted by the Indian Navy for its emblem, with the motto “Sam no Varunah” meaning “Be auspicious unto us, Oh Varuna”.

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That morning, Pravin Tulpule was pleasantly surprised to see his photo along with a little boy in the newspaper. But as he further read the news, it saddened him.

His friend had invited him to perform his magic show for cancer-afflicted children in a Mumbai hospital. During the programme, that little boy tagged along with him until the end of the show. The news read that the boy was no more. The boy’s last wish was to see a clown performing magic, and Pravin had fulfilled his desire unaware.

When Pravin was reflecting on that, he realized that his mission in life should be to make the terminally-ill children happy. A sense of joy and happiness would provide them emotional succour and help them forget their pain for some time. It would also cheer up the parents who see their kids battling with pain and death.

That was in 2000. Since then Pravin has made it his mission to bring cheer to terminally-ill children in hospitals. He also gives free magic shows in schools, to vulnerable children living in shelters, orphanages, pediatric wards of hospitals, old-age homes and at events organized by NGOs. His daughters, Shruti and Malhar, often accompany him to lend him support. He has also kicked off a crowdfunding campaign of Rs 10 lakh to sponsor treatment for children with cancer.

Seeing a magic show at the age of 14, Pravin was attracted towards it. He began practising with a set of cards gifted to him. He worked on improving his talent by reading books sold on pavements. His first performance was for his own family members. As more people came to see his magic shows, he charged 25 paisa for each person.

Though Pravin desired to make magic his profession, his brother-in-law inspired him to serve the nation by joining the Indian Navy. After graduating from Parashurambhua College, Pune, he joined the Navy, soon becoming a lieutenant. He even won the President’s Gold Medal.
But the childhood impulse to perform tricks and make others laugh remained with Pravin. When he had hardly three years left to avail his pension, he resigned from the Navy in 2000 after 17 years of meritorious service, to make cancer-afflicted children happy, even though many discouraged him from doing so.

Donning a red nose, colourful clothes, tailcoat attire, top hat, with a string of jokes and magic tricks, taking the name Pintoo, Pravin brings cheer to children suffering from cancer. He makes them laugh, cuts cake with them, distributes toys and creates funny shapes from balloons. Parents request him to show his funny face and actions to their children in the ICU. The child in Pintoo makes the children love him even more. Besides making them laugh and forget their pain, the clown magician leaves them in wonder.

Pravin says, “People who spend time in these places must be going through very painful experiences. However, if I am able to make them forget their pain even for a few minutes, I consider myself successful and fulfilled. The amount of satisfaction I derive is inexplicable. I guess quitting my job was really worth it. Life is too short to brood over or be rude. Let’s be happy and make others happy.”

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St John the Evangelist High School, Marol, took a field trip to the naval dockyard on the morning of 21 September 2019. Students were taken on a tour of the naval warship. They climbed aboard the INS Talwar and an officer took them on a guided tour around the ship and enlightened them about the Indian Navy. Their queries were patiently answered by the officer. It was a motivational study tour which was an inspiration to the younger generation to do something for their country.

— Mst. Shawn Saldanha

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I am a bit confused about what to choose as a career after Std XII. Presently, I am studying in Std XII with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Computers as my subjects. The main reason for my confusion is that I don’t want to opt for B.Tech., and want to go into fields related to the air force or navy. I just wanted your advice as to what should I go with as my career after 12th.
Akshita Jain / Agra

If you want to fly high in the sky or dream of being an Air Warrior of the IAF, then you need to clear AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test). It is held twice a year. After clearing AFCAT, you can opt for flying/technical/ground duty. Post-graduates can go for the meteorology branch that does not require AFCAT. Candidates should be graduates in their respective fields with Physics and Maths in 10+2. Visit http://indianairforce.nic.in/ for further details.

The Indian Navy recruits girls for the following branches of the Navy as Short Service Commissioned Officers: ATC, Observer, Law, Logistics, Education, Naval Architecture. For details, visit http://nausena-bharti.nic.in/women_entry.php.

Both the navy and the air force recruit candidates with graduation. Visit these sites and check the requirements in various fields. And accordingly decide your field of study in graduation.

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I am a student of Std X. I am keen on the defensive or police fields but I don’t know much about how to pursue this or what course I should go for. How should I pursue it?
Vishakha Jaswani
St Patrick’s Vidya Bhawan, Jodhpur

A career in the Indian Armed Forces is different from all other career options. It is not simply a job. Most people who join the armed forces do it because of a certain notion of patriotism and believe in the idea of the nation. Whether a soldier or a technical assistant or even a clerk or a tradesman or cartographer, most recruits join the armed forces out of this sense of patriotism.

The armed forces consist of the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. There are two options for the service. Permanent Commission offers a career in the armed forces till you retire. Short Service Commission offers you the opportunity to join the armed forces for five years initially, which can be extended.

Here are different ways to enter the armed forces.
•    Through National Defence Academy (NDA)/ Naval Academy after 10+2 (only male candidates).
•    Through the Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) after graduation.
•    Direct Entry through the Service Selection Boards (SSBs) for the Army and Navy and through the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) for the Air Force.
•    University entry for engineering students.
•    Women’s Special Entry Scheme for women graduates/post-graduates in specified subjects on Short Service Commission.
•    Through NCC for graduates with 50 NCC ‘C’ certificate.

For details, visit the official website of the Indian army, air force and navy at armedforces.nic.in

To join the police force, you have to fulfil the conditions and standards laid down for the particular rank that you wish to join at.

At the state level you can join either as a constable and go up to Deputy Superintendent of Police or you can join at sub-inspector level and get promoted all the way up to Superintendent of Police, in charge of a district. To join as a constable you need to have at least passed high school. To join as a sub-inspector you need to be a graduate.

Constables and sub-inspectors have to take a written entrance test. If you pass you have to go for a physical test and then an interview. On clearing the interview, you are expected to undergo a medical check in order to determine whether you are physically fit to join the police. After these processes are complete, final selections are made.

At the central level, IPS officers are recruited and ranks begin as either an Additional/Assistant Superintendent or Superintendent of Police. To join as an IPS officer, one has to sit for the preliminary examination conducted by the Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) for which eligibility is graduation.

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