Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 3: In a grand ceremony, J&K Mariners’ Association (JKMA) today opened its office at Malik Market, Channi Rama, Jammu.
The office was inaugurated by Kavinder Gupta, Ex-Deputy Chief Minister of J&K. The JKMA is one of its kind professional organization aimed to unite, foster, promote and protect the interests of seafarers of J&K.
The event was attended by nearly 70 registered mariners, their family members and other seafarers who intended to be part of this prestigious organization.
Amidst the cultural programme including vibrant dance performance by the kids, the founder members namely Capt Uday Vir Singh, Capt Parvinder Singh, Capt Sher Sheen Reen, C/e Sukhwinder Singh and C/e Rajinder Verma shared the goals of the association.
They said JKMA will work towards the upliftment of the facilities and welfare activities of Merchant Navy officers, establishing intimate collaboration and coordination with DG Shipping for providing certification courses and training as per the latest guidelines, and passing of skills between generations in the maritime industry and especially the counseling of budding students aspiring to join Merchant Navy.
“The J&K youth are not aware of the prospects merchant navy can unfold for them, neither are they familiar with the procedure of entering into this career option,” the members said, adding, through the medium of the Association, the youth will find more avenues to enter into this field. They further said that with the passage of time, the members of the Association will provide coaching and training to new entrants for their promotion and upgradation.
Later, the seafarers through their passionate speech revealed the difficulties and hardships faced by them on the vessels especially during COVID-19 period when they were not given the status of essential workers. Their family members too shared their emotional videos and messages unfolding the challenges faced by them and their counterparts.
The founding members said that the Association is in its inception stage where they expect a lot of support from the Government for its growth and development in coming years.
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