National Maritime Day(NMD), also known as Merchant Navy Flag Day, is annually observed across India on 5th April to recognise and remember the glorious maritime history of India and to create awareness about the importance of the maritime sector towards the economic growth of India.
5th April 2022 marks the observance of the 59th edition of the National Maritime Day.
The theme of National Maritime Day 2022 is “Propelling Indian Maritime Industry to Net Zero”
Background:
i.The first-ever National Maritime Day was celebrated on 5th April 1964. Since then every year this day is celebrated as the NMD.
ii.Annually, the National Maritime Day (Central) Committee, under the aegis of the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, organises the events to mark the celebration of the National Maritime Day.
Why 5th April?
The history of Indian shipping started on 5th April 1919, when the SS Loyalty, the first ship of The Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd travelled from Mumbai to the United Kingdom (London).
India’s maritime trade:
India has a coastline of around 7517 kilometres and is the 16th largest maritime industry.
India has 12 major ports, and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports.
Puneet Sagar Abhiyan:
i.National Cadet Corps (NCC) has initiated a nationwide flagship campaign ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ to clean seashores/beaches and other water bodies.
ii.The first phase of the ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan 2022’ is being conducted between April 01-05, 2022, coinciding with National Maritime Day.
iii.It has been decided that ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ will be taken up as a continuous activity, and it will be conducted by all NCC units throughout the year.
Purpose: To educate locals and sensitise them about ‘Swachh Bharat’.
Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030):
i.Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has prepared ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’ (MIV 2030), a 10-year blueprint to accelerate the growth of our maritime sector.
ii.It envisages Rs 3 lakh crore investment in port projects which will generate employment for more than 20 lakh persons.
iii.Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi unveiled the MIV 2030 while inaugurating the three-day Maritime India Summit 2021 held in March 2021.
Merchant Navy Week for Maharashtra:
i.On 31st March 2022, Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Governor of Maharashtra, inaugurated the Merchant Navy Week for Maharashtra at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
ii.A week preceding the National Maritime Day is celebrated as Merchant Navy Week.
iii.Amitabh Kumar, Director-General of Shipping pinned the miniature flag of maritime day on the jacket of the Governor to mark the inauguration.
About Directorate General of Shipping:
The Directorate General of Shipping is an attached office of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and deals with all executive matters, relating to merchant shipping.
Director-General– Amitabh Kumar
Headquarters– Mumbai, Maharashtra
