Against All Odds: Prachi Borah's Journey To The Merchant Navy

Prachi Borah who is on her way to becoming a merchant navy officer recently shared her inspiring journey with SheThePeople. Breaking away from traditional expectations, she pursued her dream of joining the Merchant Navy, a path inspired by her tuition teacher. Facing numerous challenges, including exams and societal prejudices, Prachi's determination never wavered. As the only girl in her class, she’s already secured a job with a reputable company. 

Curious about how she overcame these obstacles and made her dream a reality? Read on to discover her story.

Against All Odds: Prachi Borah's Journey to the Merchant Navy

"Growing up, I was always told that girls should take up conventional jobs. But I didn’t let that define my future. The first time I heard about the Merchant Navy was from my teacher in tuition classes, who wanted to join the same but couldn’t. It was like an adrenaline rush—the thought of sailing into the middle of an ocean. I wanted to do it.

My tuition teacher became my guiding light. He told me all about it and what I needed to do to get into the Merchant Navy. I appeared for the IMU-CET exam, which happened to be consecutively lined up with my 12th board exams. My hard work worked, and I cleared both with flying colours. But getting into my dream college in Pune was not a cakewalk.

I had to submit a fitness certificate testified by a doctor who was available only in Kolkata. To add to it, I had to deposit a sum of Rs. 3 lakhs in Tolani Maritime Institute, and at the same time, I went to Kolkata for my medicals.
That's how I made it to my dream college. It has to be one of the best memories of mine. There’s no doubt that my family has been my biggest support. They stood by my side, even in times when the entire society was against this profession for me. They all said only boys go to the merchant navy. ‘What will she do there?’, ‘It’s not safe for her,’ etc.

The first six months in college were tough. It was tough to manage being the only girl in a class of 40 students. Today, I am in my 2nd year of college and have already been placed with a reputable company in my first year. I can't wait to be on board as a proud female officer. They said, ‘I will never make it, but I believed in my dreams and proved to them that the Merchant Navy is not only men’s cup of tea!"

Growing up, I was always told that girls should take up conventional jobs. But I didn’t let that define my future. The first time I heard about the Merchant Navy was from my teacher in tuition classes, who wanted to join the same but couldn’t. It was like an adrenaline rush—the thought of sailing into the middle of an ocean. I wanted to do it.

My tuition teacher became my guiding light. He told me all about it and what I needed to do to get into the Merchant Navy. I appeared for the IMU-CET exam, which happened to be consecutively lined up with my 12th board exams. My hard work worked, and I cleared both with flying colours. But getting into my dream college in Pune was not a cakewalk.

I had to submit a fitness certificate testified by a doctor who was available only in Kolkata. To add to it, I had to deposit a sum of Rs. 3 lakhs in Tolani Maritime Institute, and at the same time, I went to Kolkata for my medicals.

That's how I made it to my dream college. It has to be one of the best memories of mine. There’s no doubt that my family has been my biggest support. They stood by my side, even in times when the entire society was against this profession for me. They all said only boys go to the merchant navy. ‘What will she do there?’, ‘It’s not safe for her,’ etc.

The first six months in college were tough. It was tough to manage being the only girl in a class of 40 students. Today, I am in my 2nd year of college and have already been placed with a reputable company in my first year. I can't wait to be on board as a proud female officer. They said, ‘I will never make it, but I believed in my dreams and proved to them that the Merchant Navy is not only men’s cup of tea!"

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