National Maritime Day 2022

PM Narendra Modi recalls India's glorious Maritime history

National Maritime Day in India is observed on 05 April every year. This year is the 59th edition of the National Maritime Day. This day is celebrated every year day to illustrate the awareness in supporting intercontinental commerce and the global economy as the most well - organized, safe and sound environmentally responsive approach of transporting goods from one corner to another corner of the world. 

PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the importance on Maritime sector on the occasion of 'NMD', 2022. Recalling the "glorious maritime history", PM Modi said that "in the last 8 years our maritime sector had scaled new heights and contributed to boosting trade and commercial activates." 

PM Modi wrote on Twitter, "In the last 8 years the government of India has focused on port - led development which includes expanding port capacities and making the existing systems even more efficient. Waterways are being harnessed to ensure Indian products get access to new markets." 

He further added that, while the government is "leveraging the maritime sector for economic progress and building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, they are also taking adequate care to ensure the marine eco - system and diversity which India is proud of is safeguarded." 

National Maritime Day was first celebrated on April 05, 1964. The saga of Indian shipping first started on April 05, 1919, when the SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd travelled from Mumbai to the United Kingdom (London). On this day an award called "Varuna" is conferred to those who made an outstanding contribution to the Indian Maritime sector. 

People who have made a lifetime commitment are given an altar of Varuna's Deity, as well as a written text. 

NMD honors those who have made significant contributions to the Marine industry throughout the course of their life and have achieved great achievements at the highest level of cognition. 

India, given its location, has always played a strategic role in global trade and commerce. The country was an integral part of the historic Silk Route, which ran from East Asia to Middle East and Europe. It was India's strategic location and its well - connected trading networks that had drawn the British to it. 

After India came under the yoke of British colonialism, Maritime industry underwent a change as well. It was on 05 April 1919, that the SS Loyalty, began its Voyage. The ship, which sailed from Mumbai to London, marked the beginning of Indian commercial shipping. 

Ever since attaining Independence, India has been trying to revive its Maritime trade, which suffered because due to British Colonialism. In 1959, Indian became a member of the International Maritime Organization, which is responsible for regulating shipping as well as preventing pollution from ships. 

The theme of National Maritime Day 2022 is 'Sustainable Shipping beyond COVID - 19'.