Weeklong National Maritime Celebrations on exemplary role of seafarers begins with pinning of first Merchant Navy Flag on PM’s lapel
Weeklong National Maritime Celebrations on exemplary role
of seafarers begins with pinning of first Merchant Navy Flag on PM’s lapel
To commemorate the occasion, the flag was pinned on lapel of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi by TK Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Weeklong celebrations being planned by Directorate General of Shipping to
commemorate sailing of the first Indian flag vessel "SS Loyalty" on
her maiden voyage from Mumbai to London in the year 1919.
61st National Maritime Day Celebrations will be held across the country,
spanning major ports
Gearing up for
a weeklong celebration of National Maritime Day starting April 5, the Prime
Minister, Narendra Modi, was honored with the 'Merchant Navy Flag,' pinned on
his lapel by TK Ramachandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways, in the presence of Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of
Shipping, and other senior officials in New Delhi on 29 March 2024.
Additionally, a memento was presented to the Prime Minister.
The significance of this celebration lies in honoring the
services of seafarers and commemorating a proud moment in India's maritime
history. The National Maritime Week, spanning from March 29, 2023, to April 5,
2023, pays tribute to the invaluable contributions of seafarers. It also marks
the historic voyage of the first Indian Steamship, "S.S. LOYALTY," of
M/s. Scindia Steam Navigation Co. Ltd., Mumbai, which ventured into international
waters on her maiden voyage from Mumbai to London (UK) on this day in 1919, now
marked as "National Maritime Day."
During his address, TK
Ramachandran emphasized the pivotal role Indian seafarers play in sustaining
the global supply chain. He reiterated that the National Maritime Week
celebrations are a tribute to these unsung heroes of the sea. The gesture of
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, proudly wearing the Merchant Navy flag,
signals the commencement of this week-long celebration.
National Maritime Day Celebrations will be held across
the country, spanning major ports such as Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Kandla,
Visakhapatnam, as well as intermediary, minor, and inland water ports in
various states and Union Territories. These celebrations serve to highlight the
remarkable progress achieved by the Indian Maritime Industry since
independence, underscoring its significant contributions to our national GDP.
In recognition of the invaluable service and pivotal role
played by our seafarers in advancing shipping and fostering the nation's
prosperity, a series of week-long events will be organized. These events
include the Merchant Navy Flag Day, seminars, medical camps, blood donation
drives, and a poignant Wreath Laying Ceremony to honor the sailors who sacrificed
their lives during the first and second world wars.
Central to these celebrations is the Main Function held
annually on April 5th. This event serves as a focal point for commemorating the
achievements of our maritime industry and paying homage to the courageous
sailors who have served our nation with unwavering dedication.
Over the last nine years, the number of seafarers has increased by 140%. In
2014, the total count of active Indian Seafarers was 117,090 which are 280,000
in 2023. Under the Maritime India
Vision 2030, India aspires to emerge as a premier seafaring
nation by establishing world-class standards in education, research, and
training within the maritime sector. India is a signatory to both the STCW
Convention and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Indian seafarers occupy
12% of international seafaring jobs, and the Maritime Vision 2030 recommends
that this figure reach 20% by 2030.