At the 16^th AGM of the Container Freight Stations Association of India (CFSAI) held at Hotel Sahara Star on 23^rd September, Mr. Adarsh Hegde, President CFSAI who has been leading the CFSAI Board & Management Committee passionately from the front for over 10 years in CFSAI’s 16 year’s existence, decided to step down to enable himself focus on the much larger role assumed by him in his own organization.

Mr. George Joseph, Senior Vice President, who was elected unanimously, took over charge of the Presidency from Adarsh Hegde immediately on completion of the AGM.

In his address to the 47 Members pan-India who attended the AGM, Adarsh Hegde expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the Member CFSs for bestowing trust and confidence in him and having him as the President for over 10 years.

He  mentioned that he  felt privileged to  have had the valued guidance, support and advice of the industry stalwarts like Mahesh Thakur, the first President of CFSAI, Shashi Kiran Shetty, Mukesh Oza, Naresh  Parekh  &  Admiral Kalaskar amongst the many others. He expressed his gratitude to his mentors for their continued guidance and support.

He thanked each and every member of the CFSAI team, the MC & Core team, Mundra Chapter, Logistics, Legal & Finance sub-committees of CFSAI & all the member CFSs who have contributed relentlessly in CFSAI achieving this high level of professionalism.

EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH

Highlighting on the growth of CFSAI and its contribution during the last 16 years, he stated that till 2015 CFSAI had only 15 Members. However in last 7 years CFSAI has expanded its membership base to 42 with all the major CFSs at JNPA, Mundra Pipavav & Hazira as its esteemed members. He felt extremely proud in sharing that CFSAI is now recognized as a leading Maritime Logistics Association and is included in all consultative meets & forums by the Government and the stakeholders, and their issues do get recognised and addressed to an extent.

He further mentioned that he was indeed fortunate to have the continued, unstinted support and guidance of the very robust and dedicated MC Members during his long tenure. Whilst the CFSAI got further strengthened with George Joseph & Percy Vapiwala taking up bigger roles and responsibilities in the last 7 years, he paid special tribute and acknowledged the extraordinary and passionate and consistent contributions of V. Padmanabhan & Capt. Nishit Joshi in every issue over the past 12 years and described them as the torchbearers of CFSAI.

With the setting up of the CFSAI Secretariat in 2015, Umesh Grover was taken on board who came with a solid background and rich domain experience, both in Shipping and Logistics. Umesh Grover has been assisting the MC Core team and has assisted in literally driving all the issues of CFSAI, be it policy, operational or other matters.

COOPERATION APPRECIATED

Hegde also complimented the NACFS & CFSAI Core teams for their work in close coordination and continued supplementing and complementing each other in every forum. By combining the strength of both apex Associations, now the issues get more attention and their joint voice is heard loud and clear in the Ministry & CBIC.

He thanked S Padmanabhan for attending the AGM as a special guest and requested him to convey the same to Pramod Shrivastava, President NACFS and their EC team. He applauded the joint initiative of Padmanabhan & Nishit Joshi in their endeavour in strengthening the bond between these two apex associations.

In his rather emotional address, in conclusion he mentioned that he was confident that George Joseph, a veteran industry professional with his vast knowledge experience and maturity level, and with the continued support of an excellent MC team, he will continue to lead CFSAI from the front.

He also informed members about George’s contribution to the logistics Sector and his leadership role as President BCBA a few years back. He wished George all the very best for a successful tenure.

George, whilst expressing his heartfelt thanks to each and every one for bestowing trust and confidence in him, assured the Members that he would continue to tread the path and roadmap set up by his illustrious predecessor.

While seeking continued support of the MC, he mentioned that since Adarsh Hegde would continue to be in the MC as Immediate Past President, they all would continue to have his valuable advice and guidance.

Marex Media