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!

A. G. Nikhil - My experience through AIESEC

I know I would treasure throughout my life. I knew I wanted to join AIESEC as soon as I heard about it. It was one place I knew I would fit because I have had a diverse background throughout. From being born in Bahrain to doing my education in 6 schools across 5 cities in 2 countries, I knew I was meant for an international career and being in AIESEC will only catapult me towards that dream.

via blog.aieseciitkgp.org

My first foray into the best engg college in india!

I was in Abu dhabi before reaching Kharagpur.. My father works there as a sales manager in Ajecobond.. I had to take a Gulf Air flight via Bahrain (which by the way is the place i was born and i was going back there for the first time after i left the place... i have absolutely no memory of bahrain if anyone was planning to ask me about Bahrain) to Mumbai and then another flight to Kolkata... It was a grueling schedule but we managed to make it just on time for all the flights... What i noticed first about Kolkata were the amount of cycle rickshaws there! I was shocked to see them as i had thought they were the minority nowadays... I took a vow then and there that i wouldn't travel in a rickshaw pulled by a human... (But of course, that vow was broken pretty soon as my parents weren't that sensitive to this matter when they saw the size of IIT Kharagpur and the daunting task of getting from one place to another made them hire a rickshaw.. But i am sure that whenever i am not under my parent's direct control, i won't hire one.)
We reached Howrah railway station with a pre-paid taxi from the airport. As soon as we got out, we were surrounded by porters.. Father finally agreed to a person who said he would get us a seat in a train to Kharagpur... We booked the tickets and almost rushed into the compartment our porter was leading to when Mom noticed that it was for the disabled.. Dad started protesting and we waited for the TTR and by giving him a handsome bribe, we got to travel in a A/C compartment. We got seats beside a boy and his father. We soon learned that he was also headed to IIT Kharagpur. His name was Anshul and he was coming from Chandigarh. {"So HE is my first acquaintance in IIT"} Dad and his dad started talking and soon we were talking about "what not"..... of course, most of it was Hindi and my mom and brother had a difficult time understanding it. But i don't think they got bored 'cause the scenery was breathtaking. All the fields and stuff were exactly like what we usually see in Kerala. I was amazed to find that there were so many similarities between West Bengal and Kerala...
As we got out of the station at Kharagpur (which is the longest railway station in the WORLD) by noon, we had a IIT provided bus waiting for us... I soon learned that Kharagpur got its name only for its IIT and railway station.. Most would say that they got a grand feeling when they entered IIT campus.. But i was feeling okay.. maybe a tad excited.. that's all...
As expected by us, my family didn't get a decent place to stay in and had to crowd around in my room for the night.. My roommate had already arrived from Gurgaon without his parents (which turned out to be good for us!!). That night we bought stuff like bucket, bed, SIM, etc. required for the room. Next day, I went through with the admission process which turned out chaotic with all the parents hovering over their children and giving advices.... [i think they would have given them advices 24/7 if they could..] My parents had the sense to stay away from the main procedure as much as possible... But of course, there were 2-3 calls asking what was going on... But everything went smoothly for me (or as smoothly as possible in india!)...
My parents got a plane to Kochi that night and i was surprised to see that mom didn't have much advices left for me at the end... (she had a lot when i went to Bangalore for IIT coaching 2 yrs back) Then i realised that my roommate wasn't being silent 'cause my parents were present.. It was 'cause, he WAS like that always!! Unless you ask him anything, he won't reply!! And by asking, i learned that he drinks and smokes too... Luckily he won't do that anytime soon.. 'cause its difficult to find alcohol and cigarettes here... and by the time he finds out, we will be in second yr and may change roommates by then...