HIGHLIGHTS:
• Each year on April 5th, National Maritime Day is commemorated around the country
• This day’s theme is ‘Sustainable Shipping Beyond COVID-19.’
• This day commemorates the country’s marine sector’s long history
Each year on April 5th, National Maritime Day is commemorated around the country. This day has been set aside to recognise the importance of marine trade in the development of the country’s economy, as well as the country’s strategic location and role in world trade.
Overview:
• India was an important element of the Silk Route, serving as a crossroads between Europe and the Middle East and the countries of East Asia.
• This day is commemorated every year with a specific theme around which all events are planned.
• The day also aims to improve the state of India’s maritime trade by providing assistance to help it achieve new heights.
History of this day
On April 5, 1919, while India was still governed by the British, the SS Loyalty sailed from Mumbai to London. This ship was owned by the Scindia Steam Navigation Enterprise Ltd, which was the largest large-scale shipping company owned exclusively by Indians. As a result, this incident was significant since the waterways, as well as the Indian subcontinent, were still under British control.
This day’s theme is
This day’s theme is ‘Sustainable Shipping Beyond COVID-19.’
The significance of today
This day commemorates the country’s marine sector’s long history and is commemorated every year to honour that past, as well as the country’s futuristic visions and continued progress in the maritime commerce sector. This day also honours the maritime industry’s contribution to the growth of the Indian economy.
The participants and stakeholders in the maritime sector are also praised for their contributions to the industry. The Varuna Award is given to persons who have made remarkable contributions to the country’s maritime sector.
