National Maritime Day Celebrated at Kolkata

INS Netaji Subhas celebrated the 58th National Maritime Day at Kolkata on 05 Apr 21 in strict compliance with COVID-19 Protocols. This day commemorates the Saga of Indian Mercantile Shipping when SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd set sail from Mumbai to the United Kingdom on 5th April 1919. 

The International Maritime Organisation, as the International parent body for Merchant Shipping, has chosen the World Maritime Theme for 2021 as _’Seafarers: At The Core of Shipping’s Future’_, in recognition of their vital role as key workers for Global Supply Chains, despite the unprecedented hardships being faced due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

The day was marked by a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Lascar Memorial by Cmde Rituraj Sahu, NOIC (WBG) as well as by Shri K Mohan Rao, Principal Officer cum Joint DG (Technical),  Ministry of Shipping, Govt of India and Shri Tapash Bhowal, OSD & Ex-Officio Asst Director, Ministry of Information and Cultural Affairs, Govt of West Bengal, as a befitting tribute in memory of Indian Lascars, who although, primarily employed in Mercantile Trade, made the supreme sacrifice during military action in the First World War.