Ships, Shipyards & Naval Architecture

Who can deny the beauty and majesty of a ship?

Yes, I have fallen in love. Twice, in the last 2 years. Ships were one of them.

One would imagine, a skeptic like me, would look at the downside of my industry. Think like some of my colleagues that we have no opportunity out there. That Naval Architects are not paid as much as they deserve in India. That working in India is the worst kind of punishment for an IITian.

I say to them, are you f***ing kidding me?

No other engineering branch can say with as much confidence as Naval Architecture that they are the most wanted, most lucrative, most satisfying engineering branch there ever was. Naval Architects are in huge demand throughout the world. There would not be a week without which an advertisement for a Naval Architect comes up from some random corner of the world. Demand causes the lucrative nature of Naval Architecture. With just 2 years experience, your paycheck is reading at least $40K abroad.

And which designer cannot appreciate his own work after it's been made a reality. When I can experience joy by just creating a ship on Maxsurf, imagine the heights of self-pride and joy one would reach when you see it in steel. Basic Ship Theory describes shipbuilding as a cross between art and science, and I cannot agree more. In fact, it's a known fact that shipbuilding started as an art, then transformed slowly into part-science when many characteristics started making sense to the scientific mind. Even today, shipbuilding is at least 30% art. New and innovative ideas are still needed to make shipping energy efficient. Cruise ships need to be aesthetically appealing while at the same time, profiteering for the owners and affordable for customers.  Conferences are being held to discuss making warships affordable.

While trial and error were the tools of the past, we have computers to simulate every aspect of the ship. Wood has given way to Steel and Alumunium, Rivets to Welds, Steam to Diesel & Nuclear, Single hull to Catamarans & Trimarans. New additions that make shipping less costly on the environment, like bulbous bows & Zero Transom immersion, have only been possible due to science. And science has a huge role in making shipping a zero carbon-footprint industry.

If any of you are considering Naval Architecture as a career option out there, you can always ask me about it. Just comment below!

Back to Blogging

It's weird to get back to blogging after a more than a year. I just saw the last date on my last post and was wondering what I did on that date this year. March 8 - HOLI! Holi in a university is always awesome. If I have any international readers, Holi is a festival of colours in India celebrated mostly by Hindus to celebrate the victory of good over evil [referring to Ramayan].

So, Holi was a great experience this year. Comparing that with my first year in which I came out of my room for 5 minutes out of which, for two minutes I was unconscious after hitting my head on the wall, and my second year, in which I went back home, where we don't even celebrate Holi. This year, I woke with enthusiasm and went around my friends' rooms instigating them into throwing colours at each other and tearing each others clothes apart! I never imagined myself roaming the streets of my university, half-naked!

Another reason why I might have given blogging a break would be my commitment to a relationship. The yearning to spend every waking moment with her and the bad feeling in the chest when it isn't happening - all new experiences for me - so I am enjoying her company and cherish the relationship.

Whatever the causes, the main reason I am back to blogging is something way different. And this also looks like I am gonna drastically change the way I blog. It's been too personal till recent. It all started with an article I read in India Today about how blogging is changing the world and how everyday bloggers are making money out of ordinary posts only because it highlighted their expertise in the field. This made me think. If blogging is going to emphasise what my area of expertise is, why not concentrate on those only. Personal details of my life can go into my diary, after all. In fact, it has often been debated that the amount of personal details a person shares on the internet can expose him to more elaborate scams.

My next post will be about some of my findings regarding my department's prospects and futures that OENA offers.

Women's Day

To my Mother, who taught me Love is unconditional,
To my Grandmom, who taught me Love is blind,
To my Cousin Sister, who taught me Love is respect,
To my female friends, who taught me Love is worth fighting for,

Happy Women's Day!

May the Woman in you bring light into this dark world. May the pure heart be the cleansing of centuries of hatred by Man.

"To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven." - Karen Sunde