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Merchant Navy Week Hits the right chords through out the country
Merchant Navy Week 2008 was celebrated through out the country comprising seminars, presentations & Panel Discussion on The Theme of the year, wreath laying ceremony in Mumbai and celebrations across the country. It was time for Celebration, Introspection and an occasion to remind the whole nation and policy makers about the importance of shipping and immediate steps to be taken to remove bottlenecks that hinder the unrestricted growth of Maritime businesses.
PRIME MINISTER INAUGURATES MERCHANT NAVY WEEK CELEBRATIONS
THIRU T.R. BAALU PRESENTS MERCHANT NAVY FLAG TO PM
The 45th National Maritime Day Celebrations began in Delhi on 27th March 2008 with the inauguration of Merchant Navy Week by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways Thiru T.R. Baalu pinned the first miniature merchant navy flag on the wearing apparel of the Prime Minister. On this occasion, the Secretary (Shipping), Shri A.P.V.N. Sarma also pinned the merchant navy flag on the wearing apparel of Thiru T.R. Baalu.
Merchant Navy Week is celebrated throughout the country every year culminating into National Maritime Day on 5th April, in commemoration of the sailing of first Indian vessel SS Loyalty on its maiden voyage on 5th April 1919 from Mumbai to London. The principal objective of the Merchant Navy Week and National Maritime Day Celebrations is to create awareness amongst the countrymen about the Indian shipping industry and to underline its vital role in bolstering the country’s economy. The activities of shipping industry and the requirements of seafarers are highlighted during the week long celebrations through different media which include special news-paper features, brochures/souvenirs, seminars, Radio/TV programmes, workshops, exhibitions, competitions etc.
The theme for the 45th National Maritime Day is “MEETING MANNING NEEDS”. On the occasion of inauguration of the Merchant Navy Week, the Prime Minister wished the seafarers and entire shipping fraternity a bright and successful future.
Shri A.P.V.N. Sarma, Secretary (Shipping), Ms. Kiran Dhingra, Director General of Shipping, Shri S. Hajara, Chairman & Managing Director, Shipping Corporation of India and President, Indian National Shipowners’ Association, Capt. Navin Passey, Chairman, FOSMA, Capt. S.S. Jairam, Chairman, MASSA and Shri Abdul Gani Sarang, Secretary General, National Union of Seafarers of India also attended the inaugural function. |
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