New Delhi [India], April 1: Meet Anil Deswal—or “Dash” when he’s scribbling away! A marine chief engineer from Rohtak, Haryana, Anil’s life story is as deep and unpredictable as the ocean he’s sailed for decades. He’s not just a sailor; he’s an external surveyor with the Mercantile Marine Department of India, a lead auditor with Class DNV, and a superintendent. And if that’s not enough, he’s also the president of the Merchant Navy Officers Welfare Association of NCR. But beneath the titles and the tough exterior is a storyteller at heart—a man who turns waves into words and experiences into ink.
Anil’s love for the sea isn’t just a job; it’s his lifeblood. He’s logged more miles on water than most of us can fathom, picking up stories and wisdom from every port. But the ocean isn’t the only thing that defines him. Raised on the rustic fields of Rohtak, he’s still a small-town guy at heart—vegetarian, lover of nature, and a deep thinker drawn to life’s philosophical corners. His NGO, Ek Haryana, reflects his spirit—supporting seafarers, helping animals, and giving anyone in need a hand up. For Anil, life’s a wild ride, and his books are how he shares the view.
The Sea Whispered, I Grabbed a Pen
How does a sailor become a writer? “I just wanted to say hi to the world,” Anil laughs. “The quiet of the sea gives you space to think. Maybe the waves whispered a little magic into me.” His first book wasn’t planned—it was born from long, still nights on deck, the rhythmic rise and fall of the ocean stirring thoughts that wouldn’t rest. That’s when “Dash” was born—a name that captured his urge to capture life’s wild moments in words.
His debut book, “Ankahi The Untold”, struck a chord with readers who saw pieces of themselves in his honest storytelling. It was raw and real—just like him.
COVID Memoirs in a book
When the pandemic hit, the sea went quiet—but Anil’s mind didn’t. Ships stalled, airports locked down, and the whole world seemed stuck in limbo. That’s when Anil picked up his pencil. “Writing kept me sane,” he says. “It turned those dark days into something I could hold.” His second book, “Queen Corona Coronation”, is more than a pandemic memoir—it’s a snapshot of a global pause, seen through the eyes of a sailor. “I wanted it to be our story,” Anil says. “Something people could look back on and say, ‘Yeah, we survived that. ‘A record of days of pandemic for future generations well preserved each day wise with actual account of those days.
When the Pen Takes a Nap
Even Dash has off days. “Sometimes the words just don’t come,” he shrugs. “I get lazy, or the pencil just sits there.” His fix? “I back off. Let it breathe. Then when the spark hits—bam, I’m off!” It’s the patience of a sailor—waiting for the wind to turn, knowing that the tide always comes back.
Village Roots, Ocean Breezes
“I’m a village boy at heart,” Anil grins. “Nature’s in my bones.” The fields of Rohtak taught him to stay grounded; the sea gave him the freedom to explore. “Those lone hours on the water—they’re gold,” he says. His writing reflects that balance—earthy warmth mixed with the salty unpredictability of the ocean. His books carry the simplicity of small-town life and the expansiveness of the sea—a rare blend that makes his work both intimate and universal.
Books That Stick Around
Why keep writing? “Books don’t die,” Anil says. “They stick around longer than we do. They’re how I connect with the world.” For Anil, writing isn’t about fame or money—it’s about leaving a mark. “My stories won’t let me rest until I tell them,” he admits. “It’s like they’re tapping on my shoulder.”
His pandemic book, Queen Corona Coronation, stands as proof of that commitment. “It’s the real deal,” he says. “The chaos, the quiet, the weird beauty of it all. I wanted people to feel it.”
From Pencil to Party
Publishing wasn’t easy. “I sent it everywhere,” Anil laughs. Olympia finally said yes, but the road didn’t end there. “Three rounds of edits—it was brutal,” he recalls. But he stuck with it, old-school style. “Handwritten drafts, pencil marks everywhere—it’s slow, but worth it.” For Anil, writing is like sailing: patient, steady, and rewarding.
Dash’s Next Big Splash
Anil’s just getting started. A new novel is brewing—a fierce female lead at its center, fighting battles both external and internal. It’s due next year, and he’s excited about where it’s heading. Before that, a poetry collection—100 verses drawn from the deep—will hit shelves this year. “The sea’s my teacher,” Anil says. “There’s always more to learn.”
A Guy Who Glows
Anil Deswal isn’t just a sailor or a writer—he’s a force. He’s lived a life shaped by the sea, anchored by the soil, and driven by a need to create. His books are more than stories; they’re pieces of his journey. Through storms and stillness, Anil’s voice remains steady, reminding us all to ride the waves and share the view.
For more on Anil Deswal’s adventures, check him out on MarineX Radio. And if you want to dive into his books, you can find Queen Corona Coronation and Ankahi The Untold on Amazon.
Read and know more about his incredible journey: marinex.org/meet-anil-deswal-a-mariner-who-rules-the-sea-pen-paper-hearts-2/
His Novel- amazon.in/Queen-Corona-Coronation-Dash
