‘I have so many fond memories of school’

Akshay Bhardwaj grew up alongside his school. When he joined Apeejay School, Saket, classrooms had little technology; by the time he left, television screens delivered video lessons and computers had grown from a standalone class into a part of every subject. He grew in that time too. Today, he holds a captain’s licence in the Merchant Navy. In this conversation, he looks back at the changing classrooms, the sports field, and the long road to commanding a vessel.

When you think about Apeejay, what kind of memories do you have of the Saket school?

I did my entire schooling there, so my memories are really the whole texture of those years: the everyday school days and all the time I spent on campus. It’s hard to pinpoint one particular memory when you’re put on the spot like this, because there are so many. What I can say for certain is that I learned a great deal there, and those years stay with me.

What was the best thing about Apeejay School, Saket, while you were studying?

In my time, one of the best things was the student-to-teacher ratio. There were only two sections in every class and not too many students. So each of us could get individual attention from a teacher, which I always did. Now that I’m a parent myself, I see that as one of the most important qualities of a school.

Were you involved in sports during your time at school?

Yes, I played volleyball and basketball. Sports were a big part of my school life, and I took them seriously. I went on to play at the inter-school state level in Delhi, where I represented the School in Basketball. Being chosen to represent the school beyond our own campus was a proud moment for me.

Do you feel the teaching, the teachers and the resources were up to date, and did lessons keep you engaged?

Apeejay School, Saket developed a lot during my time. When I started, the school was very different, but as the education system evolved, it has evolved with it. We got a television installed to use video aids for different subjects. Computers were earlier used only in computer classes, but over time computer science became a full subject and was integrated into other subjects as well. I was fortunate enough to go through that whole transformation.

But above all, it was the teachers who made learning fun. I still remember my primary school teacher and in my secondary and senior secondary years, my chemistry teacher. Teachers like them are the reason I look back on my classroom days so fondly.

Where are you working currently, and how can one join the merchant navy?

I work in the Merchant Navy as a Captain. The path starts with a Bachelor’s degree, a BSc in Nautical Science. After that, you complete about 18 months of on-ship training, where you actually work on the vessel while also clearing exams. Once the training is done, you sit for a government examination covering seven subjects, followed by a viva. When you qualify, the government awards you a Certificate of Competency. It works like a pilot’s licence. It is your licence to operate a vessel.