A stepping stone for women in shipping industry
Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) India, has said: “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.”
Addressing an elite gathering during the launch of the Indian Chapter of WISTA in Mumbai on Dec. 7, she said: “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. We want to mentor talented younger lot by providing them with guidance and training programmes to enable them to rise in their careers.”
Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, who is also the Director of Sitara Shipping Ltd., remarked: “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 a lot of potential and we are open to ideas.”
She stated that 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. She added: “The making of WISTA got an opportunity to interact with all important lady members from shipping and maritime fraternity”.
The new organisation is the 34th WISTA Chapter.
Mr. S. Hajara, Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India, who was the Chief Guest, 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 is sharing a platform for women in the shipping industry.”
According to Mr. Hajara, no country will prosper or the economy will grow unless women are fully integrated. Today, we can observe that in every walk of life women are really faring very well and they are doing full justice to the duty that is assigned to them. As the Chairman of SCI, “I feel very proud that SCI has been playing a very important role in supporting and encouraging women.”
Further, making a strong pitch for a level playing field for shipping industry, he wanted those at the helm of affairs to give due importance to shipping, which is a 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 the authorities. Shipping in India is the most important security factor for the country as a whole. Now there is tremendous potential and scope for Indian trade and shipping to grow. Besides, he applauded WISTA India for providing a wonderful platform for womenfolk.
A special memento was presented to Capt. Sahi, Managing Director of Sitara Shipping Ltd., who was the first sponsor who helped in the registration of WISTA.
Earlier in her welcome address, Ms. Anjali Kumar, Member, Executive Committee, WISTA India, said it is a proud moment for us to launch WISTA in Mumbai. WISTA is growing and currently counts over 1, 500 individual members in 34 National WISTA Associations (NWAs).
In his felicitation speech, Mr. Anil Devli, CEO, Indian National Ship owners Association (INSA), noted: “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 positions.”
“I represent INSA and so I would also like to add that Indian shipping industry needs to grow in all spheres”. He also spoke on ‘current scenario of shipping and its future demand’. He emphasized that in future INSA likes to offer the services and facilities to WISTA which will help them meet the future demands. This is a good initiative to bring about women empowerment in India, he added.
“Women are in the minority in our industry,” observed Mrs. Nafeesa Moloobhoy, Managing Partner, A. S. Moloobhoy & Sons, who was the Guest of Honour at the evening function. 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 women in all ways so WISTA will make all impossible things happen for the women in shipping and maritime fraternity.
Mrs. Moloobhoy through PPP highlighted 5 powerful women in the marine industry whom she admires 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 one is the one she wants somebody from WISTA family to rule the marine industry.
Voicing her thoughts in black-and-white, she said following in the foot-steps of Russian, 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 declared: “It is a strong message to all the men that women have arrived in Indian maritime industry and we are here to stay”.
The special guest speaker, Ms. Jyoti Kumari, 2nd Engineer, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd., said: “For me working in shipping and marine world is adventurous. Motivation and team efforts make every difficult work easy and help us achieve the success steps in a 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 strove hard for the better growth of shipping fraternity”. Further, she concluded: “WISTA women, it is right time for all of us to rule the marine world”.
Ms. Rukhsana Vohra, Director, Sai Maritime and Management (P) Ltd., proposed a vote of thanks.
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
Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, President, Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) India, has said: “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.”Addressing an elite gathering during the launch of the Indian Chapter of WISTA in Mumbai on Dec. 7, she said: “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. We want to mentor talented younger lot by providing them with guidance and training programmes to enable them to rise in their careers.”
Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, who is also the Director of Sitara Shipping Ltd., remarked: “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 a lot of potential and we are open to ideas.”
She stated that 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. She added: “The making of WISTA got an opportunity to interact with all important lady members from shipping and maritime fraternity”.
The new organisation is the 34th WISTA Chapter.
Mr. S. Hajara, Chairman and Managing Director of Shipping Corporation of India, who was the Chief Guest, 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 is sharing a platform for women in the shipping industry.”
According to Mr. Hajara, no country will prosper or the economy will grow unless women are fully integrated. Today, we can observe that in every walk of life women are really faring very well and they are doing full justice to the duty that is assigned to them. As the Chairman of SCI, “I feel very proud that SCI has been playing a very important role in supporting and encouraging women.”
Further, making a strong pitch for a level playing field for shipping industry, he wanted those at the helm of affairs to give due importance to shipping, which is a 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 the authorities. Shipping in India is the most important security factor for the country as a whole. Now there is tremendous potential and scope for Indian trade and shipping to grow. Besides, he applauded WISTA India for providing a wonderful platform for womenfolk.
A special memento was presented to Capt. Sahi, Managing Director of Sitara Shipping Ltd., who was the first sponsor who helped in the registration of WISTA.
Earlier in her welcome address, Ms. Anjali Kumar, Member, Executive Committee, WISTA India, said it is a proud moment for us to launch WISTA in Mumbai. WISTA is growing and currently counts over 1, 500 individual members in 34 National WISTA Associations (NWAs).
In his felicitation speech, Mr. Anil Devli, CEO, Indian National Ship owners Association (INSA), noted: “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 positions.”
“I represent INSA and so I would also like to add that Indian shipping industry needs to grow in all spheres”. He also spoke on ‘current scenario of shipping and its future demand’. He emphasized that in future INSA likes to offer the services and facilities to WISTA which will help them meet the future demands. This is a good initiative to bring about women empowerment in India, he added.
“Women are in the minority in our industry,” observed Mrs. Nafeesa Moloobhoy, Managing Partner, A. S. Moloobhoy & Sons, who was the Guest of Honour at the evening function. 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 women in all ways so WISTA will make all impossible things happen for the women in shipping and maritime fraternity.
Mrs. Moloobhoy through PPP highlighted 5 powerful women in the marine industry whom she admires 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 one is the one she wants somebody from WISTA family to rule the marine industry.
Voicing her thoughts in black-and-white, she said following in the foot-steps of Russian, 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 declared: “It is a strong message to all the men that women have arrived in Indian maritime industry and we are here to stay”.
The special guest speaker, Ms. Jyoti Kumari, 2nd Engineer, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd., said: “For me working in shipping and marine world is adventurous. Motivation and team efforts make every difficult work easy and help us achieve the success steps in a 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 strove hard for the better growth of shipping fraternity”. Further, she concluded: “WISTA women, it is right time for all of us to rule the marine world”.
Ms. Rukhsana Vohra, Director, Sai Maritime and Management (P) Ltd., proposed a vote of thanks.
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