World Maritime Day, Chennai
 Father
Anthony Baliswamy is the AOS Port Chaplain in Chennai
(formerly Madras) in the region of Tamil Nadhu, South East
India. Here he tells us how AOS worked in partnership with
the National Maritime Day Celebration Committee.
"The main celebrations of the day began with a flag
raising ceremony. Cadets from the local maritime schools
paraded a guard of honour and marched past. Guests included
representatives from numerous sectors of the maritime world
such as port authorities, shipping companies, professional
institutes and the Port Welfare Committee. In addition, some
thirty visiting seafarers in port at that time were invited
to participate.
 The
Company of Master Mariners (India), the Nautical Institute
and the Institute of Marine Engineers together co-ordinated
a seminar on the theme chosen for World Maritime Day 2006:
“Technical Co-operation: IMO’s response to the 2005 World
Summit ”. Later prizes were awarded to the Best All Rounder
Cadet / Rating and to winners of various competitions.
Prizes were presented for a special art competition for
children organised by AOS in association with SACEP, the
South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme, part of the
UN Environment Programme. The competition was held at the
Annai Velankanni Shrine, an important pilgrimage centre in
Tamil Nadhu. Eighty five school children were able to
participate in World Maritime Day by creating drawings and
paintings on a maritime theme.
 Other
events held around World Maritime Day included a talk given
at Chennai Seafarers’ Club by the eminent cardiologist and
philantropist Dr K P Misra on the theme “The Power of Love”.
There was also a grand exhibition in which numerous
educational and professional bodies promoted courses and
careers in the shipping industry.
At Venkatapuram, a slum area near Saidapet, a free
medical camp was organised. Around two hundred people were
given general medical examinations, counselling and health
information."
Photographs:
1st Prize, Junior, V. Jayashree, Valliammal Matric. Hr. Sec.
School
1st Prize, Senior, Hepsiba, Daniel Thomas Matric. Hr. Sec.
School
2nd Prize, Senior, S.V. Udhayakumar, Rajah Muthaiah Hr. Sec.
School |