India needs to act like a Maritime Power- Pradeep Rawat
Pune, 10th November 2017: India with its long coastline and position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) was known for its Maritime glory in the past. Predominantly, it has been key player in Maritime shipping and trade. “India was a Maritime Power but we lost that in the 14th century and were subjugated for over three century. We have 7500 km coastline, but it seems that we have realized our maritime potential only in the 21st century. We need to grow and act like a Maritime Power in real time reflecting same in the policies too,” exclaimed Pradeep Rawat, Chairman, National Shipping Board who was the chief guest at a panel discussion organised by Maritime Research Centre (MRC)
recently held
at Deccan College, Post Graduate and Research Institute, Yerwada
The shipping industry is at the threshold of massive progress with government providing infrastructure and policy support for its growth. However, aspects of sustainability deserves attention. Keeping this in mind MRC chose ‘Sustainable Marine Logistic and Opportunities on Young India’ as topic for panel discussion.
Rawat also emphasised that a regulatory framework is very much needed to focus on growth, but it is important to closely consider the ecology and environment.
Cmde. Rajan Vir, President, Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF) started the addressable by welcoming the guests. And, Dr (Cdr) Arnab Das, Founder and Director MRC along with, Vice Admiral DSP Varma (Retd), Former DG ATVP, Pramod Chaudhary, President MCCIA, Prof Vasant Shinde, Vice Chancellor, Deccan College, Dr. Erach Bharucha, Environmentalist, Anil Deoli, CEO Indian Ship Owner’s Association and Praful Talera, Advisor, MRC were also present to share their perspective on the subject.
“The country needs to recognize the challenges of the present maritime thrust and take appropriate political, economic and diplomatic measures. The general population need to participate and make it politically compelling for the leadership to accord priority,” opined Das, who also wrote book on a similar subject.
MRC which was founded in February 2017 is under the agies of the IMF with an aim to take forward the concept of Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is currently located in Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Yerwada. IMF also has a special dedicated museum and library on Maritime. MRC can also help in providing infrastructure for research and data collection, tackle acoustic degradation and huge entrepreneurship opportunities for young India.
Das also appealed that there must be an inter University centre for UDA which can further help to curb ignorance and indulge young generation in policy making.
