MPHRP Regional Director for South Asia speaks on maritime piracy
MPHRP Regional Director for South Asia, Mr Chirag Bahri, was invited by the Directorate General of Shipping Mumbai to participate and speak on maritime piracy and the work done in the region at the Civil Service Day celebration function organised at the Maritime Training Institute, Powai, Mumbai on 20th April 2015. Shri D T Joseph, IAS (Retd), ex-DGS and Secretary Shipping, MoS was the chief guest and Shri Shailesh Gandhi, former Information Commissioner was the guest of honour for the event.
“The Civil Service Day” is observed by all civil services to re-dedicate and re-commit themselves to the cause of the public service and excellence in work. Mr Bahri spoke on the work done by the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) South Asia in India and South Asia. He spoke highly for the present Director General of Shipping, Shri Deepak Shetty, for his commitment and humanitarian sight to have supported the families of the seafarers held in captivity of Somali pirates for many years.
Mr Bahri briefed the audience that with the good support of the Directorate General of Shipping, it made it easier for the organisation to work towards facilitating humanitarian support and assistance to needy families in distress. He appreciated the role of the Indian maritime industry, especially INSA and ICCSA (Indian National Shipowners and Coastal Shipowners Association), for their support to the seafarers who had returned back from captivity with facilitating jobs on board ships of their member companies. He also mentioned that the maritime unions also helped the seafarers with financial assistance on their return which enabled them to again regain their dignity and identity. He mentioned that MPHRP, with the support of various international organisations, were able to rescue seafarers of Albedo and Asphalt Venture from the captivity of Somali pirates in 2014.
Mr Bahri appealed to the government and various stakeholders present that India needs a strict anti piracy law so as to prosecute pirates held in Indian jails. Many Indian seafarers have been affected due to the menace and therefore the perpetrators of the crime should be brought to justice. This will certainly bring a lot of relief to the seafarers who have suffered tremendously due to hijackings by Somali pirates. The session was followed with interactive questions from the audience.
Chirag Bahri thanked the Director General of Shipping for inviting him to be a part of the celebration function. He was presented with a memento and the gathering applauded him for the work being done in India so far to provide humanitarian support to the seafarers and their families affected by maritime piracy.
Source and Image Credit: MPHRP
