We all are aware that the INSA, MASSA, FOSMA and MFSWT have jointly taken a praiseworthy initiative to install a toll free number 18009017447, at 1207, Dalamal Towers, Nariman Point, Mumbai to assist and guide all those interested in pursuing sea careers . THE MARINE WORLD editorial team decided to verify how good the telecom-assistance actually is. Our representatives at various parts of the subcontinent were asked to make calls posing as students/guardians and give us a feedback. Our representatives were all praise for it. We too made a few calls and then decided to visit the Nariman Point action desk. There we met Mrs Farida Miranda, who was busy patiently answering calls coming from various corners of India. In between the calls, she managed to answer our queries regarding the project - 'Careeratsea' and her new role.

TMW: What is 'Careeratsea' and how helpful is it actually?
Mrs Miranda: It's a joint effort by INSA, MASSA, FOSMA and MFSWT to assist the young men and women who are interested in pursuing careers at sea. Since, many of these aspirants hail from rural India or smaller towns and have little or almost no knowledge of the shipping industry, so they are keen to know about the industry, the scopes in a marine career, pay packages, different courses needed for various sea jobs, the details of the institutes, fees, etc.
Remind you, some of them even travel miles to make a STD call, because even today after six decades of Independence, many villages do not have phone booths. So, our job is to hear them patiently, try to understand what they actually want and guide and assist them to our best extent.

TMW: How many calls you generally attend in a day and is it an irritating assignment?
Mrs Miranda: The calls are in average 40-50 per day. The questions vary from IGNOU entrance to job openings in marine sectors, minimum qualifications needed for various marine courses, fee structures in various institutes, etc. At times the questions are bit irrelevant too. But there is no room for being irritated or feel tired when you shoulder such a responsibility. Because you need to understand the person at the other end too, their anxiety and urgency.
Yes, at times we had to bear the dissatisfaction of the call-makers regarding issues we actually are no way linked. Say for example, the delay in this year's IGNOU OPENNET entrance examination was a major concern for many candidates and their guardians. Actually, we were not sure when the results would be actually declared, so in spite of our best efforts we could not give satisfactory answers.
But I never felt irritated, because being a mother of two grown up children I know how much stress the present day youths have to undergo in this era of cut-throat competitions.

TMW: Tell us something about your educational and professional backgrounds.
Mrs Miranda: I am a Post Graduate and even worked with a ship chartering company. After my marriage, with my hubby Capt Keith Miranda I sailed for 10 years. Then I decided to become a full-time mom and now as my children are well settled, am taking up another professional assignment after 26 years.
But let me tell you, it was not easy initially. I was very reluctant and was bit apprehensive of travelling daily. But after I spoke with Dr Shiv Kumar Vyas, who is the Chief Coordinator with IGNOU, Capt Nand A Hiranandani (from whose office we are operating here), Capt MC Yadav and Capt SS Jairam, and Capt Dasgupta, I decided to try it for one month first. My daughter was the one who encouraged me a lot and soon I began to enjoy my job. I understand my replies are of vital importance to those seeking assistance from 'Careeratsea.'

TMW: There are many industry veterans, who feel IGNOU OPENNET is not a right move. What is your opinion?
Mrs Miranda: Let me make it very clear, I am not professionally qualified to make a comment on this issue. But personally I feel the old system of companies selecting their own candidates and sending to institutes for training was fine. Besides, the delay in declaration of IGNOU entrance results disheartened many candidates and their parents. Many candidates even opted for other careers.
But this is my personal view and it is not the opinion of the professional bodies I am associated with or of my husband.

TMW: Shortage of Seafarers is affecting the industry for last couple of years. What are the measures do you feel the industry must adapt to meet this challenge?
Mrs Miranda: I am the offspring, the sibling and the spouse of a seafarer. So, from my birth I have been with Seafarers and understand their responsibilities and plights. Though officially I am not in a position to make any suggestion, but personally I feel the young-blood can be enticed to join this profession with better pay packages, shorter job contracts, encouraging them with family carrying incentives when they get married, etc. The people working in general cargos and containers must be paid more. The disparity in payments needs to be taken care of. I agree the people at higher positions are paid well, but those at the grassroots level deserve more.

TMW: Coming back to your present job, how long do you plan to continue?
Mrs Miranda: I have not thought of giving it up. Since I am enjoying it now and getting job satisfaction as well, so I plan to continue till I can.