Prisilla Nadar

To celebrate the occasion of the International Day for Women in Maritime, the MUI-WW – the Women’s Wing of the Maritime Union of India organized a Lunch Meet for its Mumbai members on Saturday, 28th May at China Bistro, Mumbai.

A 35-member strong gathering of Women came together and almost got the roof down with their unstoppable laughter and cheer. Delectable food with great company is the perfect recipe to have a memorable time.

After the Post Covid lockdown, this was one of the first in-person events to be organized by MUI-WW.

Founder and Head Coordinator of MUI-WW, Ms Saleha Shaikh said that due to the Covid lockdowns, all our events were being held online, and although that worked brilliantly for us and got all our pan India members together, a real in-person meet-up was highly desired. Since the world has now opened up, and things have gotten back to normal, it was important for us to have a real, physical interaction. Most of our members have been going through a difficult patch with the lockdowns restricting movements, their husbands doing extended contracts at sea, or waiting at home to join the ship for months. Our members needed to meet up, share their concerns, and also socialize. “The Lunch Meet was planned for those exact reasons. Generally, our events are planned around a workshop or seminar but this time we just wanted to meet up and interact and bond over some delicious food. So we played fun games, laughed, and just chilled,” Ms Shaikh added.

Ms Ilham Bharmal shared “Meeting up after such a long gap was something we all needed. The pandemic has taught us the value of human connections. Within a short time, we laughed, felt a sense of bonding and we were grateful to be able to meet and celebrate life. At the heart of it all, this is a core purpose of MUI-WW.”

An elated Mrs Renuka Nayar, the wife of Capt Timmy Nayar, said, “MUI WW supports women of the maritime community. This kind of get-together shows that we are always together and we will find a solution to every problem.”

Mrs Lata Khatri, the core team member, hosted a few games. She observed that with the fun activity we just had, it was apparent that we can express ourselves without words, and that all we needed was social interaction, presence of mind, and teamwork. This proves that all of us can achieve goals if we unite and work together.

“Though it is my first time attending this MUI WW event. I feel so emotionally connected, as we all come from the same background, that is, from a seafarer’s family,” Mrs Prachi Singh, wife of Capt Shashikanth Singh.

Mrs Pouruchisti Ukaji added, ‘It was amazing to bond with the ladies after a long time. Some new members attended for the first time. Without any effort, we got to know each other, laughed, and bonded with each other. We bid goodbyes with an assurance of meeting often.

It was an eventful luncheon with lip-smacking Chinese delicacies, and the Bistro filled with camaraderie and merriment.

Marex Media

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The MUI-WW is the Women’s Wing of the Maritime Union of India (MUI). The Maritime Union of India (MUI) represents Merchant Navy Officers who are its members. The MUI-WW looks into the welfare of Women Seafarers and families of Seafarers. For any queries, you may write to muiww@maritimeunionofindia.com