A career guidance program on the ‘Merchant Navy’ was held for the students and youth of Longpayimsen village in Mokokchung District on April 26. The session was conducted by Capt. Dr. Ashutosh Apandkar, Principal of Training Ship Rahaman, India’s oldest maritime training institute.
The Directo’ate General of Shipping, under its special drive to encourage the participation of women in the shipping sector, has launched the ‘Sagar Mein Samman’ initiative. As part of this campaign, a team of senior executives from the shipping industry visited various parts of the Northeast to educate and create awareness among the youth about career opportunities in merchant shipping.
Resource Person Capt. (Dr.) Ashutosh Vijay Apandkar Principal interacted with the students and youth. During the session, the students showed great enthusiasm and were highly motivated to learn more about the career opportunities that allow them to work on a global platform. Any youth who has cleared the 10th and/or 12th standard and is below the age of 21 is eligible to apply and avail themselves of various scholarships and other forms of support.
Capt. Dr. Ashutosh Apandkar, representing the DG Shipping Sagar Mein Samman Committee, elaborated on the opportunities available for students from the Northeast in the shipping Industry. He explained the importance of shipping, how world trade functions, and the contribution of the shipping industry and seafarers. He also explained how to join the merchant navy as an officer or as a rating, along with the prerequisites and available opportunities.
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He emphasized the need for students to look beyond traditional courses, encouraging them to “take the leap and embrace this profession,” which, he said, would not only enhance their financial status but also give them a sense of pride and satisfaction in their work.
Capt. Apandkar also stressed the importance of pursuing this profession through the proper channels and warned students not to fall prey to agents or entities offering false promises. He guided them on how to verify institutes and companies and advised that, in case of any doubts, they should directly contact DG Shipping.
He further stated that Sagar Mein Samman specifically stresses the participation of women in shipping and highlighted how the IMO, DG Shipping, maritime training institutes, and shipping companies are working together to ensure equal opportunities for women in the industry.
Apandkar noted that Longpayimsen is one of the very remote villages in Nagaland, and that information about the session had been circulated in advance through the press and media. Through this, the news reached many dignitaries from Nagaland, who wholeheartedly supported the initiative and participated in the outreach program. Among them were Dr. Sanjeev from IIM Shillong, a native of a nearby village, and Dr. Iaer, associated with the Dr. Abdul Kalam Centre, also a member of “Sagar Mei Samman” outreach team joined the session to support and encourage students from the community.
