The Honourable Union Cabinet Minister, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Mr Sarbananda Sonowal graced the valedictory function of Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of The Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI) as Chief Guest and Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Mr Shantanu Thakur as Guest of Honour on 03^rd October.

Mr Manoj Kotak, Honourable Member of Parliament and Shri Rajiv Jalota, Chairman Mumbai Port Trust presence embellished this memorable event. Secretary (Shipping), Mr Sanjeev Rajan, joined the event virtually along with other renowned dignitaries including veteran SCI’s Board of Members.

Mrs HK Joshi, Chairperson & Managing Director, SCI welcomed the dignitaries and thanked them for their gracious presence. She hailed the contribution of SCI’s predecessors and stated “SCI’s innovative measures, encompassed with SCIans’ resilient spirit, backed with financial prudence had made SCI a fierce contender in the maritime sector.

SCI continues to hold the highest level of corporate governance and ensured its sustenance as an ethical organisation in future too.”

A mesmerizing Corporate Film narrating the history of SCI was played which took the audience through the memorable milestones, challenges, and eventual success culminating on a very high note of positivity and transformation.

Mr Sonowal released the Digital Coffee Table Book which reflected the journey and initiatives of the SCI for the past 6 decades in commemoration of its rich heritage.

He flagged off SCI’s Container vessel – SCI Chennai off Kandla on the EXIM trade, to support the exports target of the Honourable Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi and overcome the challenges of shortage of containers and high freight rates.

Mr Kotak, cited SCI’s glorious past and thanked SCI for providing service to the industry, and to the people by generating well-paid employment.

In his turn, Mr Thakur congratulated the SCI family and stressed the importance of Inland Waterways for the future and urged the Organization to scale greater heights. He stated, “Common people of India need to be educated about the advantages as well as the opportunities in the maritime sector.”

In his address, Mr Sonowal congratulated SCI on the successful completion of six glorious decades of being the premier shipping company of India. He commended SCI’s selfless service towards India and praised the many accomplishments that SCI has achieved for the nation.  He applauded the endeavours of the company to make the country self-reliant which is the vision of the Honourable Prime Minister.

He spoke of the transformation which had taken place through transportation and urged the organization to share its experiences and success with the entire country and its remote regions too to generate awareness of the seafaring profession and its benefits.  He was particularly impressed by the spirit of diversity upheld by the organisation which had empowered women to take up careers and set an example for the country towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat envisioned by Honourable Prime Minister. He spoke with fervour and urged all to work as Team India to display the Indian Maritime sector’s Shakti (Strength), Sambhavana (Potential) and Sampada (Wealth) to take India forward on the global arena with the usage of technology.

Mr Atul Ubale, Director – Bulk Carrier & Tanker Division, SCI proposed the vote of thanks and mentioned that Mr Mansukh Mandaviya had inaugurated the Diamond Jubilee year of SCI on October 02nd, 2020.

A zestful cultural program ensued with a skit displaying the innumerable search & rescue operations conducted by SCI over the years and its willingness to rise to any occasion that was its uniqueness. The skit climaxed with the portrayal of the MT Swarna Krishna voyage of the All Women Officers’ Team of March 2021 who had represented as Indian ambassadors to the worldwide maritime community and in shaping an ‘equal’ future. Minister, Ports, Shipping & Waterways was called upon to felicitate the Bravehearts of the historic “All Women Officers” Voyage, and silver plaques were presented to them.

Marex Media