Odia youths disinterested in maritime activities

Rich maritime legacy notwithstanding, local youths from the State are shying away from exploring job opportunities in maritime sectors. Job aspirants are found disinterested in opting for professional mariners and sailors’ certificate course.

Odisha Maritime Academy, the State’s lone institute in Paradip that churns out sailors, is packed with students from outside the State.

Things are also largely the same in the Government-owned crew training institute in Chandballi. Sanctioned seats continue to fall vacant in the institute that hones the driving skill of inland-water vessels.

“It’s a paradox that maritime activities no more stay on the agenda of odia youths. The State is endowed with vast stretch of coastline. It has a hoary past as maritime legacy is concerned. But the enterprising qualities and adventurous traits associated with sailing across the sea seem to have fast vanished in Odisha”, remarked Mr. Bijoy Kumar Rath, noted historian and archaeologist.

The coastline extending from Dhamra to Astrang is replete with historical evidences of flourishing maritime trade in ancient Odisha. Chandballi and Astrang were hubs of maritime trade. Marichi temples still thrive here and its existence dates back to several centuries. The sailors used to pray and invoke the protection of the goddess before embarking on sea voyage to South East Asian countries. Harishpur village near Paradip was yet another maritime trading centre of ancient days. There is corroborative historical evidence regarding the said village. Chanbdballi was the principal sea route that connected coastal Odisha to Kolkata. And it flourished during the British Raj, Mr. Rath stated.

The maritime academy has failed to attract locals despite its good infrastructure. “We have 40 seats for admission into Pre-sea General Purpose Rating Course (Merchant Navy’s Crew Training). More than half of the allotted seats are filled up from aspiring students from outside states”, said Mr. Premananda Rout, Principal of Odisha Maritime Academy.




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