In the pre-dawn darkness of South Andaman, when most of the island sleeps, Yamanna Shanti moves with the same purposeful stride that once carried him through military patrols. But now, at 38, his mission field is the bustling fish market of Brookshabad Village, where he arrives at 2 AM sharp – military punctuality serving him well in his new life as a merchant of the sea.Seventeen years earlier, a young man from these island shores had donned the olive-green uniform of the Indian Army, leaving behind the salty breeze of Andaman for the diverse landscapes of India. From the snow-capped regions of Jammu & Kashmir to the tea gardens of Assam, from the deserts of Gujarat to the plains of Punjab, Sepoy M/T Yamanna served with distinction, all the while harbouring a dream as vast as the ocean that surrounds his island home.

With an initial investment of Rs. 50,000 – modest by some standards but representing years of careful saving – Yamanna launched his fish retail business. But he didn't just create a business— he also created opportunities. Seven employees now work under his command, earning between Rs 8,000 and Rs 14,000 monthly, providing livelihoods.

Military discipline shapes every aspect of his operation. By 2 AM, he's at the wholesale market, selecting the finest catch with the same attention to detail he once gave to equipment inspections. His home delivery service operates with tactical precision, ensuring fresh fish reaches customers across the island. Even as evening approaches and the sun sets over the Andaman Sea, Yamanna remains at his post at the local market until 9 PM, selling the remaining stock and ensuring no resource goes to waste.

His family – a supportive wife, a son in 6th standard, and a daughter in 2nd – watches his transformation with pride. The same man who once traversed battlefields now traverses market aisles, his military bearing evident in every step. His children are learning lessons not just from their textbooks but from watching their father's journey unfold.

The story of Yamanna Shanti is more than a mere transformation of a soldier to a successful businessman. It is a story about finding new ways to serve, about bringing military precision to civilian commerce, about transforming the discipline of soldiering into the discipline of commerce. In the bustling fish markets of South Andaman, a former soldier has now discovered his new mission, proving that the spirit of service never retires – it simply finds new waters to navigate.

As the sun rises over the Andaman Sea, casting golden light on another busy market day, Yamanna stands with his fish ready to be delivered, his employees at their posts, and his objectives clear. Every day brings its own victories, measured by the satisfied smiles of his happy customers and the growing prosperity of his island home.