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of women seafarers and inform them of available opportunities. In addition to this,
onboard gender sensitization should be encouraged, and an onboarding buddy
program should be launched.
This occasion permits me to focus on “Sagar Mey Samman- Honour at Sea” where
certain high points are worth celebrating.
On March 6th, 2021, the Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways
flagged off M.T Swarna Krishna – the first time in World Maritime History that a ship
is being sailed by all women officers. Sailing towards the International Day of Women
in Maritime on 18th May 2022 an all women merchant officers fleet commandeered
M.T Swarna Godavari. Both these voyages demonstrated the Shipping Corporation
of India and Government of India’s exemplary leadership at the global front and
made all of us proud. We respect and applaud pioneering officers like Capt Radhika
Menon, the first female captain of the Indian Merchant Navy. In 2016 she also
became the first woman to receive the IMO award for exceptional bravery at sea.
Such inspirational stories need to be told – the Nari Shakti Puraskar in 2022,
appreciation by Hon’ble Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat is well deserved.

Under the Sagar Mey Samman the mission statement of diversity, equity and
inclusion should be for the pursuit of integrating the world beyond the core business
of connecting global supply chains. The Maritime Administration in India has
comprehended that they need to go all the way to connect diverse talents and
perspectives in fair and inclusive workplaces where the employee feel that they
belong ( the single hallmark of a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace – which
promotes diversity of thought and a culture of respect, fairness and a strong sense
of belonging and ownership – the biggest gainer is the national economy itself and it
does transform the world into a better place.
From the Directorate General of Shipping a pilot training program for Gender
Sensitization for the benefit of Management, Faculty & Support staff of Pre- Sea &
Post Sea Marine Training Institutes is being further. The DG Shipping has issued
order No:1 of 2023 dated 20.01.2023 on “Gender sensitization Training for
candidates undergoing Pre-Sea and Post Sea Competency courses”. The effort is to
concertedly drive change forward, get over the institutional inertia and mindsets.

At the end every individual desires a good place to work, a place where you belong,

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