FOSMA organized its Annual General Meeting, a physical one after two years post Covid, on 30^th September 2022 in Mumbai.

The AGM saw the presence of all the current and past Board Directors and the FOSMA secretariat, including Capt. Sankalp Shukla, incumbent Chairman of FOSMA, and Captain Rajesh Tandon, CEO of FOSMA.

The event also witnessed the felicitation of FOSMA veterans, Capt. Navin Passey, former Chairman – FOSMA; Capt. Surender Manocha, Principal at FOSMA Maritime Institute & Research Organisation, Kolkata; and Mr. Rustom Cassinath, General Manager, Fosma. The event was supported by HSBC Bank.

Capt. Tandon opened the event by saying, “We are organizing this AGM after two years post covid, this is indeed an opportunity to meet the shipping industry and further align with them in initiatives to support their welfare and skill development.”

Capt. Shukla said, “We have had this event after 2 years of the covid break, but I feel that the best thing we did last year was to bring in Captain Rajesh Tandon as our CEO, and so I heartily welcome him. With his experience and expertise, we all are learning a lot.

“This is a very nostalgic moment for me as I want to start this evening, by actually giving an Appreciation Award to Capt Naveen Passey, the longest-serving chairman for FOSMA, whom I consider a mentor of the entire industry.

Captain Tandon said, “Naveen came to Mumbai in 2003 to fill captain Kiriti Guha’s shoes, and I must say that he made the shoes even larger. During his tenure FOSMA has grown to greater heights and is being recognized for its efforts in seafarer skill development and improved employment opportunities. he Has has served as Chairmanc for 2 terms and while he is officially retiring, he will be always here as a mentor of FOSMA.”

Captain Passey on receiving the Award said, “It is a wonderful feeling to work in the Indian shipping industry all these years. I think India has the potential and has every single ability to be the best. We have people here including all the CEOs and Chairmen of shipping organizations, who have the potential to do their bit for the industry and for the country.”

Captain Shukla, went down memory lane taking everyone through the journey of Capt. Surender Manocha in FOSMA. He said, “FOSMA had a vision and we wanted to open a FOSMA Maritime Centre in Kolkata, and we needed a visionary who would head the project.

“Capt. Manocha was appointed into the role, who started as the project Head and built the institute at a site from the bare shell with no walls. Working together with Capt MC Yadav, the DG approvals for all the programmes were received and eventually he took over as became the principal of the institute. He created the repute and the ethics that the institute has today. He is succeeded by Capt Hemadri Ray as the Principal.

“This is his last day today and we would like to honor him tonight for all the efforts he has put in there.”

Capt. Surender Manocha on receiving the award said, “I am extremely overwhelmed today, and it’s been a wonderful six and a half years of working with FOSMA.”

Mr. Rustom Cassinath who completed 25 years of service with FOSMA, was also felicitated at the event by Capt. Tandon, who said, “We have been so indebted to Rustom for working with us and for all the work you have done without ever saying a ‘no’.”

Mr. Cassinath on receiving the award said, “I’m very thankful for having worked all these years with FOSMA, with the current and the past Chairmen. It’s been a lovely journey.”

Marex Media