From Toll Plaza to the High Seas – The Inspiring Journey of Oiler Pawan Singh
“Mehnat aur lagan se koi bhi sapna sach ho sakta hai!” – This is the story of Pawan Singh, a small-town boy from Himachal Pradesh who, despite financial struggles and language barriers, made his way into the Merchant Navy and secured a stable future for himself.
A Simple Beginning with Big Struggles
Pawan Singh was born into a poor family in a small village in Himachal Pradesh. His father was a farmer, and his mother a homemaker. Due to financial issues, he couldn’t study beyond Class 10th. With no career guidance, he started working at a toll plaza, collecting money from passing vehicles just to support his family.
Though he earned a little, he always wanted to do something bigger in life. But there was a problem—he didn’t know English, had no higher education, and had no idea where to start.
The Cousin Who Changed His Life
One day, his cousin, who was working in the Merchant Navy, visited the village. Seeing Pawan’s struggle, he explained about the job of an Oiler in ships.
“Samundar ki duniya alag hai, par mehnat ka fal yahan bhi milta hai!” – These words from his cousin sparked hope in Pawan’s heart.
However, getting into the Merchant Navy was not easy. He had no money for training, no contacts, and had never even seen the sea! But with his cousin’s help, he arranged for basic training and decided to move to Mumbai to find a job in the shipping industry.
The Mumbai Struggle – No English, No Job, No Support
When Pawan reached Mumbai, he thought he would get a job quickly. But reality was different. He roamed around the shipping offices for months but faced rejection everywhere.
- Some companies refused to hire him because of poor English.
- Some asked for experience, which he didn’t have.
- He slept on footpaths near Mumbai’s dock area, sometimes skipping meals to save money.
But he did not give up. He kept learning, improving his communication, and knocking on every door.
First Break & Life at Sea
Finally, after months of struggle, he got his first job as a Wiper in a shipping company. Though it was the lowest-ranking job, he took it as his golden opportunity.
Life at sea was tough—the engine room was hot and noisy, the work was physically exhausting, and the shift hours were long. But he worked harder than anyone else, learning from his seniors and proving his dedication.
After gaining experience, he got promoted to Oiler, where he now assists engineers in maintaining the ship’s massive engines.
Today: A Respected Oiler with a Stable Life
At 30 years old, Pawan Singh is now working in a well-known shipping company. He earns in lakhs, supports his family, and has traveled across the world—a dream he never imagined possible when he was at a toll plaza.
Message to Every Indian Youth
“Degree nahi, skill zaroori hai!” – Pawan Singh believes that hard work and dedication can change anyone’s life. Even if you don’t have high education or fluent English, you can still build a great career in the Merchant Navy.
His story is proof that where you come from doesn’t matter—what matters is where you want to go!
