Pune girl on Mission Navy

Sakshi Havanoor is living her dream. The 20-year-old will sail on an Indian battleship for a Nat Geo teleseries on the life of seamen. After her two-month gruelling training with the Indian Navy, she now aspires to join the forces

Pune girl on Mission Navy

HRITHIK Roshan climbed 18,000 feet to realise his Lakshya in the reel world. Pune girl, Sakshi Havanoor (20), wants to realise her dream in the real world.

The two-month Navy training schedule that they underwent to fulfil their dream of sailing in an Indian warship, altered the course of their lives. From chasing sedate dreams of becoming doctors, software professionals and engineers, they now want to take on life with a smile like a true soldier. Three of them Sakshi, Sudhanshu and Arjun want to join the Navy!

The five youngsters have been selected by the Indian Navy and the National Geographic Channel to be a part of a television series, Mission Navy, which gives people an insight into a seaman's life. They were chosen out of 1,500 candidates after a rigorous selection procedure set by the Navy.
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"I was on top of the world when I was declared a finalist. I can't describe the feeling. I find it difficult to believe that I am so close to my dream of joining the forces," said Sakshi, who is the youngest in the group, and aspires to become a chopper pilot.

For Suranjini, who is a software engineer by profession, being a part of the show was reliving her childhood dream. "I always wanted to join the defence forces but could not qualify. This programme gave me a chance to live my dream," she said.

But before the dream walk came the two-month-long strenuous training the candidates had to undergo. None can ever forget the "ragda" (the colloquial military term for punishment) the Navy meted out to get each one into shape, both mentally and physically.

"At one point the training became so tough that I felt I wouldn't be able to last. But now I feel it has made me stronger both mentally and physically," said Sudhanshu, who is studying to be a doctor, recalling the early morning endurance exercises where the candidates were made to run carrying a heavy gun over their head.
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Now he wants to be a Navy doctor!

Most of them, however, have found the routine almost cathartic. "I think I have got addicted to this disciplined and tough life. It has made me strong enough to face life's adversities positively. I have even decided to join the Indian Navy," said Arjun, a software developer.

But for all of them the most precious moment was when they donned the sailor's overall and stepped into a naval vessel at Panji, Goa. "A mix of feelings enveloped me. I was feeling proud and more responsible towards my country. I also became conscious that my actions would matter to others and after that every single moment became precious," said Sakshi.
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The programme will be telecast from February 2.

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