Tough Times don’t last, Smart guys do 

When I completed my training with Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), and 

reported back with 2nd Mates license in 1986, our batch was asked to report 

after 5 years or take a No Objection Certificate (NOC) and find work 

elsewhere. I took the NOC and started a nine-month period of searching for 

Jobs in Mumbai, living on a shoe string budget in the Seaman’s Club and 

walking to 20 offices every day as I could not afford a Bus or a Taxi. For a 

person with no “Pull” it was an arduous journey and I finally joined an Iranian 

tanker, which was trading in the war zone, as a Third Officer.  

After a month onboard, I got my first pay and shore leave in Dubai.  I went 

ashore to the mall and bought myself a red Lacoste T-shirt, a pair of Calvin 

Klein jeans and a pair of Ray bans sunglasses. Thereafter I went to a swanky 

hotel sat in the Bar and ordered myself a large Glenfiddich. I felt on top of the 

world, Life was great and I looked back to shore leave again after a couple of 

days. Unfortunately for me, the next day we sailed out to the war zone 

between Iran and Iraq and the next time I saw shore was when I was signing 

off after 6 months!  

One month after sign off I bought a small apartment in partnership with my 

Father and started my Journey in investing in India. Some investments were 

great success while I lost money on many others, and in the process learned 

about the various investment options which I hope to share through this blog. 

Before we get into the best investment options, it is important to understand 

your investment goals, which change during your Life time.  

Some goals stay constant –  

1.Financial security for self and family (parents, wife, children) – during 

your work life and after retirement 

2.Job security and the ability to chose your choice / place and time of 

Work 

3.Medical Insurance 

Some goals change during your lifetime – 

1.Buying your first Home  

2.Paying for education/ marriage of children  

3.Discretionary and Lifestyle spending – Holidays , Cars  

4.Pension Plans etc 

Choosing the best investment options for wealth management and planning 

is an area of concern for Seafarers due to the hazardous and contractual 

nature of our Work.  

More on this in the weeks to come. 

Always feel free to ask question on this Blog or connect with me at 

gurprasadkohli@gmail.com or on +91 8754485933