The Maritime Union of India Women's Wing Celebrates the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime

– The Maritime Union of India (MUI) Women's Wing successfully hosted a landmark seminar titled "Safe Horizons: Women Shaping the Future of Maritime Safety" in celebration of the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime. The event took place at The Club, Mumbai, and brought together distinguished speakers, industry leaders, maritime professionals, maritime training institutes, students, and enthusiastic participants.

The day's proceedings began at 9:00 am with registration and breakfast, followed by the inaugural session at 10:00 am. The traditional lamp lighting ceremony, symbolizing enlightenment and hope, was gracefully performed by esteemed guests of honour including Capt. Rajesh Tandon, Capt. Shiv Halbe, and Mr. S.M.Rai, Capt. Manish Kumar (Deputy DG Shipping), Mrs. H.K. Joshi (Former CMD of SCI), and Mr. Deepak Shetty, alongside Ms. Saleha Shaikh (Founder & Head Coordinator of the MUI Women's Wing), Capt. Tushar Pradhan (General Secretary, MUI), and Ms. Pouruchishti Ukaji (Core team member of MUI Women's Wing), who opened the seminar and served as the host for the day.

Ms. Saleha Shaikh, Founder & Head Coordinator of the MUI Women's Wing, delivered a warm welcome address which highlighted the story behind the MUI Women's Wing’s inception and the seven years journey since. Guests of Honour,  Mrs. H.K. Joshi, Former CMD of SCI, and Mr. Deepak Shetty, Senior Advisor at MACN India, also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the critical role of women in maritime safety. Although Mr. Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, could not attend in person, he shared his insightful perspectives through an informative video, which was highly appreciated by the audience.

The seminar aimed to foster discussions on relevant topics related to Women in Maritime, seeking to find solutions and create actionable plans. The event sessions provided a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences, with a focus on empowering women in the maritime sector.

Key Points from Panel Discussions:

Session 1, "Chai-Pe-Charcha: Anchored in Strength: The Feminine Odysseys," moderated by Ms. Saleha Shaikh, highlighted the personal and professional journeys of women in the maritime industry. Panellists shared stories of challenges and triumphs, inspiring attendees with their experiences.

  Panellists:  

  - Ms. Rubiya Bano (Add Third Off, LPG Gas Carriers, Synergy Marine)

  - Ms. Sumita Banerji (Senior Vice President, Allcargo Group)

  - Ms. Manisha Patil (Former Crane Operator, HSE Manager, DP World)

  - Ms. Lea Fernandes (Manager FPD, Bulk & Container, Elegant Marine (Fleet Management))

  - Ms. Nafeesa Moloobhoy (MD - Moloobhoy Group of Companies)

Session 2, "The Power of Mentorship: Women Uplifting Women in Maritime,” moderated by Capt. Shoukat Mukherjee (Founder & CEO of The Naval Connection), explored the significant impact of mentorship in empowering women professionals. Panellists discussed the role of mentorship in career advancement and leadership development.

  Panellists:

  - Mrs. H.K. Joshi (Former CMD, SCI)

  - Capt. Shashank Jahagirdhar (MD, Country Head, MTM Ship Mgmt)

  - Capt. Mini Verma (Manager, Fleet Care/ Fleet Management Ltd)

  - Ms. Delna Shroff (Suptd Mental Health & Wellness, Bernhard Schulte Ship Management)

  - Ms. Priyanka Gupta (Director HR - Shore - Crew Mgmt & Wellbeing Head for Seafarers, AESM)

Session 3, "Supporting Women Seafarers at Sea," moderated by Tejashri Kishore (Deputy Manager - Fleet Care / Fleet Management Ltd), focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by women seafarers and advocating for support systems to ensure their well-being and success at sea.

  Panellists:

  - Ms. Deepti Singh (Chief Officer, Fleet Management)

  - Ms. Priyanka Tiwari (Third Officer, Fleet Management)

  - Mr. Chirag Bahri (International Operations Manager, ISWAN)

  - Capt. Girish Phadnis (Industry Mentor, Former Chairman, MASSA)

  - Dr. Neeta Mhatre (Psychotherapist, Founder - ReachOut)

Session 4, "Synergizing Seafarers: Training for Inclusive Maritime Excellence," moderated by Ms. Gurleen Kaur (Sr Marine People Manager, Maersk India), emphasized the importance of comprehensive training programs to address the needs of a diverse workforce. Panellists discussed the development of training modules promoting inclusivity and excellence in maritime operations.

  Panellists:

  - Mr. Maneesh Pradhan (MD, Global Dry Fleet Synergy Group)

  - Capt. (Dr) Ashutosh Apandkar (Principal, TS Rahman)

  - Dr. Deepti Mankad (Founder MindSpeak, Wellness Coach and Counsellor)

  - Ms. Parnita Rasal (Senior Psychologist, Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy)

  - Ms. Nyari Nain (Fleet Superintendent, Maersk)

The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony, recognizing key personalities of the MUI Women's Wing. Mrs. Pratibha Pandey, Mrs. Lata Khatri, and Ms. Pradnya Ghayvat were honored as Outstanding Personalities of MUI Women's Wing. This was followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. Bharati Bhandarkar of Bhandarkar Publications. The day wrapped up with tea and coffee, providing attendees with a chance to network and reflect on the day's discussions.

Ms. Saleha Shaikh expressed her gratitude by saying, "We would like to thank the industry for wholeheartedly supporting this event and turning up in large numbers. We are overwhelmed with the response, and it goes to show how much importance women hold in the maritime industry."

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to TNC Events for their impeccable event management and to the anchor, Ms. Pouruchisti Ukaji, who kept the event lively and engaging.

The success of this seminar underscores our commitment to fostering a safer and more inclusive future in maritime. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to this significant event.

Contact:

Maritime Union of India Women's Wing  

Email: muiww@maritimeunionofindia.com

Event Managed by TNC Events 

For more details, please email: media@thenavalconnection.com

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