Page 50 - K M PANNIKAR and The Growth of a Maritime Consciousness in India

COMMODORE ODAKKAL JOHNSON

Director Research, Maritime History Society
Mumbai

Commodore Odakkal Johnson, commenced his maritime journey aboard
Training Ship Rajendra, Mumbai in Nov 1982 and is today a leading voice of
influence to enable heritage awaken maritime consciousness as a Maritime
Knowledge Theorist and life navigator. In just five years the officer has
transformed a now 42 year old baby of late Vice Admiral MP Awati, the
Maritime History Society into an International Institution of excellence in
Promoting Sea Mindedness and mentoring competent young scholars in the
maritime domain.
Commodore Johnson was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the
Indian Navy on 03 Aug 87 after qualifying as a Second Mate(FG) in the
Mercantile Marine. A Navigation and Aircraft Direction Specialist, he is an
alumnus of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the then College of Naval
Warfare, Karanja and Department of Civics and Politics, University of Mumbai,
with a PhD in Political Science in Maritime Governance.
His naval journey involves a range of staff and command assignments including
leadership roles at Maritime Warfare Centre, Kochi, Centre of Ethics, Leadership
and Behaviour under Southern Naval Command, The Medium & Short Term
Force Structuring Directorate at Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff prior to
his current assignment. His conceptualisation of a range of
National and International Wargames included the SHESHNAG series of Tri-
Service and Indo-US Habunag series of Table Top Amphibious Exercises in
2007-2009 and anchoring three successive Theatre level Exercises from 2010
to 2012. He has authored key behavioural and ethical review studies initiated
at the apex levels. He is also qualified as an Interviewing Officer for the Services
Selection Board. He has authored a Book titled “Timeless Wake – The Legacy of
Royal Indian Navy in World War II” and co-edited “Essays in Maritime Studies
: Vol III” published by Maritime History Society, Mumbai in 2013 and 2016.
A renowned speaker in maritime matters, he is a visiting faculty on Research
Methodology as well as in Maritime Knowledge at the Naval War College, Goa,
Indian Naval Academy, University of Mumbai, Central University of Gujarat
among others. His many papers in eminent journals along with recent articles
and online content have done great service to enhance a spirit of Maritime
Consciousness in India.

50 K M Panikkar and the Growth of a Maritime Consciousness in India