S. Hajara CMD of SCI was the Chief Guest
MUMBAI : The Indian chapter of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), launched in Mumbai at the Shipping Auditorium, Friday on December 7, 2012 under the leadership of Sanjam Sahi Gupta –Director Sitara Shipping Ltd. The new organisation is the 34th WISTA Chapter.
The WISTA India Executive Committee includes: Ms Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director, Sitara Shipping Ltd, Ms Sumeet Sahi, Director, Astral Freight Forwarders [Pvt.] Ltd, Ms Rukhsana Vohra, Director, Sai Maritime & Management P. Ltd, Ms Anjali Kumar, DGM, Corp. Finance & Investor Relations, Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd and Ms Shantha Martin, CEO-ISC and Middle East, Allcargo Logistics Ltd.
Mr S. Hajara, Chairman and Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) was the Chief Guest of the function. The prominent speakers were Mr. Anil Devli, CEO, INSA and Mrs. Nafeesa Moloobhoy, Managing Partner, A.S. Moloobhoy & Sons were the Guest of Honour. They all received the memento by Mr Hazara.
A special memento was presented to Capt Sahi, MD of Sitara Shipping Ltd who was the First sponsor who helped in the registration of WISTA.
The Special Guest Speaker of the evening was Ms. Jyoti Kumari, 2nd Engineer. Some Prominent industry stalwarts who graced the occasion were Capt Sahi-MD Sitara Shipping Ltd who was also the First Sponsor of WISTA registration. Also the event was attended by senior industry honchos like Mr.Vikram Gupta, CFO Essar Shipping Ltd, Mr.Ramakrishnan MD Essar Shipping Ltd, Capt.Anoop Sharma CEO Essar Shipping Ltd. Mr Omar Sait-MD-.Indial Shipping,Ltd Mr Keyur Gandhi –Director Express Transport Ltd, Mr Das-Director SCI, Mr Thapar.-Director Bulk Carrier and Tanker, Mr.Marc Fernandes, who heads the shipping and aviation committee of the Indian Merchants' Chamber, Mr. Vivek Kele, Director, Team Global , Mr. R J Gandhi, Mr Michael Pinto, Former Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, Capt Mahapatra, and many other prominent dignitaries were present to grace the occassion.
The WISTA evening started with the lighting ceremony by the Hon'ble Chief Guest Mr S. Hajara, CMD, SCI and Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, President, WISTA India.
In her welcome address, Ms. Anjali Kumar, Member, Executive Committee, WISTA India said, It is a pround moment for us to launch WISTA in Mumbai. WISTA is growing and currently counts over 1500 individual members in 34 National WISTA Associations (NWAs).
Welcoming the President of WISTA, she said Ms. Gupta is a second generation shipping entreprenur and thus has had a lifelong interest in the business. She actively joined the family Business in 2001 and is now heading the NVOCC division of the business. Her interest in WISTA spans nearly a decade, leading to the information of WISTA India this year.
Addressing the guests, Ms Sanjam Sahi Gupta, President, WISTA India said, Shipping who has been the driving force instrumental in the formation of WISTA India. “We recognize women having to face different challenges balancing work and responsibilities at home. Sharing experiences and providing a support system is an essential part of reaching out. Eventually we want to position WISTA India at the forefront of the global shipping industry by providing leadership and educational opportunities to our members. There is lot of potential and we are open to ideas.”
"My goal for WISTA India is to provide a platform and a voice for women and to ensure we are well represented in industry forums," stated Ms. Gupta. "We want to mentor talented younger lot by providing them with guidance and training programmes to enable them to rise in their careers."
WISTA is an international organisation for women in management positions involved in the maritime transportation business and related trades worldwide. It is a major player in attracting more women to the industry and in supporting women in management positions. With networking, education and mentoring in focus, it can enhance members’ competence and empower career success.
Ms. Gupta pointed out, "The making of WISTA got an opportunity to interact with all important lady members from Shipping and Maritime Fraternity". Everbody's best wishes and blessings will help us to move a long way and with continuous efforts and team work will lead us to achieve greater heights in coming years.
Mr. Anil Devli CEO, INSA said "It is a mixed feeling for me to be here at the launch of WISTA India in Mumbai. I am delighted by the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by Sanjam and her team in developing WISTA India". Indeed it is good to see all the leading ladies from maritime sector come together to assert their equally important role in guiding the destiny of the industry. We feel very proud to see all the women taking managerial poisition.
I represent Indian National Shipowners Assiciation (INSA) and so I would also like to add that, "Indian Shipping industry needs to grow in all context. He also spoke on 'Current Scenario of Shipping and its future demand'. He emphasized that in future INSA like to offer the services and facilities to WISTA which will help them to meet the future demands. Further, he thanked WISTA for giving him the opportunity to grace the occasion. This is a good initiative to bring women empowerment in India, he added.
“Women are in the minority in our industry” said Mrs. Nafeesa Moloobhoy, Managing Partner, A.S. Moloobhoy & Sons, who has also been the Guest of Honour of the evening. In a male dominated environment there is the natural tendency for women to feel undermined and overshadowed, even though they may be better placed, better qualified and more talented. As a result they are unable to exercise their full potential and leverage their knowledge and skill to the maximum. It is very important to boost and encourage the women in all way so WISTA will make happen all imposible thing happen for the women in Shipping and Maritime Fraternity.
Mrs Moloobhoy through PPP highlighted 5 powerful women in the marine industry whom she admire for their work and dedication. Sumati Morarjee, mother of Indian shipping, the first woman of Indian shipping to head an organisation of ship owners INSA, Ms Kiran Dhingra, Ms Laxmi Venkatachalam and Ms. Rani Jadhav, Chairperson, MbPT. The fifth she wanted somebody from WISTA family to rule the marine industry. Expressing her thoughts she said, Following in the footsteps of Russians, Polish and American women, Indian women are increasingly taking up sailing jobs, once thought to be a male preserve. SCI has also hired the first batch of female seafarers on its ships. Encouraging women power she said , "It is a strong message to all the men that "Women has arrived in Indian Maritime Industry and we are here to stay".
Ms. Jyoti Kumari, 2nd Engineer, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd. said, For me working in shipping and marine world is adventorous. Motivation and team efforts make every difficult work easy and help us to achieve the success steps in short period of time. My family has supported me and it really makes me a proud woman and I hope one day my son delivers the message that "I am proud of my mom who strives hard for the better growth of Shipping fraternity". Further she added, "WISTA women it is right time for all of us to rule the Marine World".
Mr S. Hajara, Chairman and Managing Director of SCI in his welcome address said, "It is a matter of great pleasure and pride for me to launch WISTA India. It is really good to see all the leading ladies to be part of WISTA India. WISTA India will offer plenty of opportunities for networking and interaction. WISTA sharing a platform for Women in the Shipping Industry.
According to Mr. Hajara, any country to prosper the growth of the economy has to inclusive unless women are fully integrated. Today, we can observe that in everywalk of life Women are doing better in every kind of job. As the Chairman of SCI, I feel very proud that SCI has been playing very important role in supporting and encouraging women. Making a strong pitch for the level playing field for shipping industry, Mr S Hajara, said authorities should look at shipping, which is most competitive industry, from business point of view. Cargo will come to Indian shipping only if it is competitive, he said, adding, Shipping industry needs support from authorities. Shipping in India is the most important security factor for India. Now there is tremendous potential and scope for Indian trade and shipping to grow. Further, he thanked WISTA India for providing wonderful platform for the members.
Ms. Rukhsana Vohra, Director Sai Maritime & Management (P) Ltd. delivered a vote of thanks.On behalf of WISTA , she thanked the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour for their enoromous contribution and support provided to the entire Shipping Industry. WISTA aims to bring together experts and executives for knowledge sharing, discussion and networking. This is a chance for members to meet some of the women in shipping who are shaping the future of their own careers, companies and the industry.
Agent in India - Sitara Shipping Ltd
