Recalling the traditional maritime trade and rich cultural heritage of erstwhile Kalinga, the Paradip Port Trust (PPT) celebrated the Port Day and Boita Bandana festival with gaiety on Thursday.
The festival got underway with PPT Chairman Sudhanshu Shekhara Mishra hoisting the port flag and performing the traditional rituals at the Wet Basin of the port.
Then, a colourfully decorated Boita (boat) was sailed by ‘Sadhavs’, dressed in the traditional attires, after the port Chairman flagged it off. Seven employees of the port’s Marine Department played the role of Sadhavs while seven Central School students acted as their better halves.
Addressing the gathering, Mishra urged the employees to work dedicatedly to make the Paradip Port the Numero Uno port in the country.
The PPT has so far achieved remarkable record in cargo handling and it has set a target to take it to 252 million tonnes per annum in the coming days, he added.
Thousands of spectators including the HoDs of various PPT departments, Central and State Government employees, employees of various Importers, exporters, stevedores and shipping agents were present during the celebration.