The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) organised the 1st India Maritime Heritage Conclave (IMHC 2024) from December 11 to December 12, 2024 at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka in New Delhi, Delhi. The conclave was inaugurated by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.
- Theme of IMHC 2024: “Towards Understanding India’s Position in Global Maritime History”.
- The conclave celebrated India’s extensive maritime legacy and its significant contributions to global trade, culture, and innovation.
Key Participants:
i.The conclave was attended by Union Minister Sarbanand Sonowal,MoPSW; Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya,Ministry of Labour and Employment(MoL&E); Union Minister Gajendrasinh Shekhawat, Ministry of Tourism(MoT) and Union Minister of State(MoS) Shantanu Thakur, MoPSW.
ii.The Conclave witnessed the participation of global experts and academicians from 11 countries which highlighted the global significance of the event. It was also attended by senior officials of the concerned central ministries as well as officials, and representatives of various states.
Highlights of IMHC 2024:
i.Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankar addressed a special session during the inaugural day of the conclave. He highlighted the significance of preserving India’s maritime legacy for future generations.
ii.The event also marked the 1st meeting of the Apex Committee for the development of the National Heritage Conclave.
- An exhibition was organised which featured more than 20 stalls, demonstrating India’s shipbuilding techniques, navigation systems, and historical trade routes, inaugurated by eminent dignitaries.
iii.The Conclave has promoted collaboration with key Indian ministries: Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoL&E); Ministry of Education (MoE); Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYA&S), for creating opportunities for youth engagement, skill development, and employment.
- These ministries have collectively created a single framework for national development, youth empowerment, and global engagement.
iv.The concluding day of the conclave saw engaging discussions on themes like: the contributions of the Chola Empire to maritime history, advancements in traditional shipbuilding, and the evolution of naval power in India.
GoI Plans to Invest Rs 4,000 crore for the Development of NMHC in Lothal, Gujarat
The Government of India (GoI) plans to invest Rs 4,000 crore in next 5 years, for the development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat. The government aims to promote the city Lothal, home to the world’s 1st man-made dock, as an international tourist destination.
- It also aimed to attract substantial investments through the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) model to develop infrastructure around Lothal.
Key Points:
i.The redevelopment of the NMHC, Lothal will include key components like: a maritime separate area for preservation of ancient and modern technologies, a hub for research on maritime archaeology, among others.
ii.It will also include the development of a lighthouse museum, 14 galleries, an open aquatic gallery, coastal state pavilions theme-based park, naval theme park, among others.
iii.For the development of NMHC project, the GoI has collaborated with experts from 12 countries, including the United Kingdom(UK), Italy, Greece, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, among others.
iv.MoPSW has designated the Indian Ports Association (IPA) as the nodal agency to monitor the overall implementation of the NMHC, with the Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited (IPRCL) as the executing agency.
Historical Significance of Lothal:
i.Lothal was one of the important cities of the ancient Harappan civilization dating to 2600 B.C.
ii.It was one of the most important ports during the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) and served as an important bridge for the trade between the IVC and those in the west like: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Persia, among others.
Points to Note:
i.In October 2024, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi gave the in-principle approval for Phase 1B and Phase 2 of NMHC Lothal.
ii.The construction of 60% of phase 1A of the project is completed. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Note: India has a 7,500 kilometer(km) coastline, 13 major ports, and 200 non-major ports that establish it as an undisputed maritime powerhouse.
About Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW):
Union Minister- Sarbananda Sonowal (Constituency- Dibrugarh, Assam)
Minister of State (MoS)- Shantanu Thakur (Constituency- Bangaon, West Bengal, WB)
