The Navy is a Way of Life: An Interview with Lt Chandan Kamat (Retd.)
By John Aguiar
For many, a career is defined by office hours and monthly paychecks. But for **Lt Chandan Kamat (Retd.)**, his time in the Indian Navy was never just a job—it was a calling. In a candid conversation, Lt Kamat shared his journey from a coastal upbringing to patrolling the high seas during the IPKF operations, and his continued contribution to India’s maritime strength through shipbuilding.
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### **A Legacy of Service**
While the siren call of the sea was loud for anyone growing up in a coastal area, Lt Kamat’s path was paved by a formidable family legacy of patriotism. He was inspired from a young age by his maternal grandfather, **Ramchandra Bhiku Varik**, a dedicated freedom fighter.
The tradition of uniform continued with his uncles: **Vishwanath Varik**, who was commissioned as a Pilot Officer in the Air Force and later served as a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and **Commander Sharad Varik**, who served in the engineering wing of the Indian Navy’s submarine arm. Guided by their examples and the classic tagline, *"Join the Navy, See the World,"* Lt Kamat set his sights on the horizon.
### **The Road to the Stripe**
Lt Kamat’s path to the Navy was a lesson in perseverance. A product of a generation that relied on newspapers and radio for information, he applied for the **Services Selection Board (SSB)** after spotting an advertisement in a daily newspaper.
His journey was nearly derailed by a scheduling conflict with a corporate interview and an initial medical rejection. However, the discipline instilled by his family background kept him focused. Two months after he thought his chance had passed, a surprise call-up brought him back to the medical board, and eventually, to the gates of training.
> "Basic training was a good initiation," he recalls. "We did boat pulling in the Mandovi River and camps at Savoi Verem. It was backbreaking exercise, but it developed the character and pride I needed."
### **Life at Sea and Under Fire**
After commissioning, Lt Kamat served on various vessels, including the fleet tanker **INS Deepak**, where he fueled iconic aircraft carriers like **INS Vikrant** and **INS Viraat**.
However, his most harrowing experiences came during the **Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF)** operations in Sri Lanka (Operation Pawan) in the 1990s. Patrolling the Palk Straits, the Navy faced a unique and terrifying threat: suicide speedboat attacks.
"At night, we kept our eyes peeled," he says. "The LTTE terrorists would pack speedboats with explosives and try to ram our ships. We had to be alert with machine guns—our last line of defense. It was a warlike situation, both exciting and dangerous."
### **The Power of the Seas**
Lt Kamat emphasizes that the importance of "Sea Power" cannot be overstated. With over **80% of global trade** moving by water, he notes that "anybody who controls the sea controls economic and political activity."
He is also a staunch advocate for the integration of modern technology. Having seen the Navy transition from the introduction of basic computers to the current era of **Artificial Intelligence (AI)**, he points to the new Nilgiri-class frigates as a testament to India’s indigenous technological prowess.
### **A Legacy Beyond Retirement**
Though he retired from active service in the late 90s, Lt Kamat never truly left the sea. He transitioned into the shipbuilding industry, contributing to the construction of India’s first nuclear submarine hull and numerous other naval vessels. Today, he continues this legacy as a Director at the Dempo Group, overseeing shipbuilding operations in Goa and Gujarat.
### **Words for the Next Generation**
To those aspiring to join the ranks, Lt Kamat offers a clear distinction:
> "If you want to make a career, don't join the Navy. The Navy is a way of life. You must be passionate, have high integrity, and a desire to serve the nation."
For Lt Kamat, the bonds formed in the "Naval Family" remain stronger than any he has found elsewhere. It is a life defined by discipline, sacrifice, and the quiet pride of knowing that the nation sleeps in peace because the Navy remains on watch.
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