President Droupadi Murmu on Monday graced the Boita Bandana ceremony or Baliyatra organised by the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) here to celebrate Odisha’s glorious maritime history.
Murmu, who was on a two-day visit to the State, also virtually inaugurated a Multi Model Logistic Park and laid foundation-stones for a new reservoir and a water treatment plant for the port township and a next-gen Vessel Traffic Management and Information System.
Murmu remembered the historical memories of Baliyatra, a symbolic boat trip of merchants to the islands of Java, Sumatra, Bali, etc., every year.
Stating that sea has been a major means of strengthening India’s trade, commerce and international relations, she said literature based on sea has also enriched Indian culture.
Odisha and other coastal States had a long and prosperous tradition of naval commerce. Apart from trade and commerce, those merchants also played an important role in spreading Indian art and culture abroad, she pointed out.
“Maritime trade has been playing an important role in the trade and economic development of our country. About 95% of India’s total trade in terms of volume and 65% in terms of value are done through sea transport,” Murmu said.
She stated that India’s ports need to function with greater efficiency in line with the global standards. The Sagarmala programme is a commendable step in this direction. The Government of India is working to realise a vision of ‘Ports for Prosperity’ and ‘Ports for Progress’.
Murmu was happy to note that the Paradip Port’s cargo-handling capacity has doubled in the last decade. It is poised to become the largest port on the east coast. It also got the ‘Port of Operational Excellence Award’ at the Global Maritime India Summit-2023.
PPA Chairman PL Haranadh, who delivered the welcome speech, presented a silver filigree Boita and a shawl to the President.
Odisha Governor Raghubir Das and Ministers Tukuni Sahu and Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Union Ministers of State for Shipping Shripad Nayak and Shantanu Thakur were among the eminent personalities present.