The Paradip Port Trust (PPT) celebrated the 50th National Maritime Day on Friday and the Merchant Navy Week from March 29 to April 5 with a programme organised at the wet basin of Marine Department.
The programme started the unfurling of the Maritime Flag by chief guest PPT Chairman Sudhanshu Sekhara Mishra. The guest of honour was Deputy Chairman S Anantha Chandra Bose. Veteran marine engineer Dipak Panda, who served the Shipping Corporation of India, was the special guest and was honoured by the PPT Chairman.
PPT Deputy Conservator Capt GP Biswal congratulated the officers and workers of the Marine Department for helping the port secure the fifth position among the 12 Indian Major Ports in cargo handling and productivity.
The Chairman and Deputy Chairman said Paradip would achieve no.1 position among the Major Ports of India soon.
Various awards and prizes were given away to the school and college students who won debate and essay competitions. A seminar was held on the last 50 years of Indian shipping.
A cultural programme was held in the evening in which State Development Commissioner JK Mohapatra was the chief guest, Forest Secretary RK Sharma the guest of honour and RDC (Central) Dr AK Padhee the special guest.