By Tricitynews
Chandigarh 07th
October:- ‘World Maritime
Day’ was celebrated with the theme – ‘Empowering Women in Maritime Sector’, at
an event held at Golf Club,here.
The event was organized by the Merchant Navy
Officers Association (MNOA) in collaboration with Company of Master Mariners of
India (CMMI) (Chandigarh Chapter), Nautical Institute North West Chandigarh and
Institute of Marine Engineers India.
The event started with the National Anthem followed
by Lighting of the Lamp by the Chief Guest Vice Admiral (Retd) A.G. Thapliyal
AVSM BAR, B. S. Mangat, President, MNOA, Capt KS Sandhu, Master Mariner, Capt
MS Judge, Chairman, CMMI(Chandigarh Chapter) and Iqbal Singh, Chief
Engineer (Retd.) On Board Ship IMEI.
In keeping with the ‘World Maritime Day’s’ theme
this year – ‘Empowering Women in the Maritime Community’, eminent speakers from
different walks of life enlightened the audience with their remarkable
speeches.
The Chief Guest Vice Admiral (Retd) A.G. Thapliyal
AVSM BAR and the Guest of Honour, a serving lady Master Mariner Capt. Akriti
Barthwal graced the evening with their thoughts.
Speaking on this occasion, Balbir Singh Mangat,
President, MNOA said that the shipping industry is male dominated and women
feel some insecurity to join it. To remove this apprehension among prospective
women shippers there should be stringent rules to ensure security and safety of
women onboard the ships.
He underlined that the at present the women work
force in shipping industry is just 2 to 3% only and there is a large scope for
increasing numbers of women in shipping industry, both on shore and off shore.
He emphasized that MNOA will work towards the cause
of empowering women in the maritime industry, by raising awareness from the
grass root level, by holding workshops and lectures in schools.
Capt. Jaipdeep Singh Khatri, Vice President of
MNOA, Chandigarh added that it’s very important to empower women in the
maritime sector’. Shipping is the heart of global economy and it needs women to
ensure its sustainability.
Master Mariner Capt. Akriti Barthwal shed light on
the challenges for women in the Maritime sector and said that the major
challenges are some people, who have a negative mindset towards women and
believe that women can’t do shipping and underestimate their credibility.
She emphasized that gender equality is a concern
which should be addressed from the grass root level. She also urged to promote
women more in sailing & shore jobs and unlock the door of opportunities for
them, so that more young girls aspire to join the Maritime sector.
Capt. Mohan Singh Judge, Chairman of
CMMI (Chandigarh Chapter) summed up the evening with his inspiring speech
and expressed his deep gratitude to all the dignitaries and the guests, who
made the evening memorable with their presence on the celebration of ‘World
Maritime Day’.
Among others who gave informative talks were Dr
Joginder Mukherjee, Supreet Dhiman, Neelam Malik. Ajit Singh and Capt KJS
Sujlana also graced occasion