Indian Maritime Foundation observes Remembrance Day

Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF) observed Remembrance Day 2012 at the Seamen's War Memorial in Bund Garden in the city on Sunday with the Wreath-Laying Ceremony in the memory of Indian seamen who manned merchant ships and craft during the First and Second World Wars. As many as 7,955 seamen lost their lives while combating enemies at sea.

The chief guest on the occasion was Dr Sujata Naik-Tolani, chairperson of Tolani Shipping Company, Mumbai, and vice-chairperson of the council of the Tolani Maritime Institute, Talegaon. Twelve wreaths were laid on behalf of the Indian Merchant Marine, Indian Navy, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), British Merchant Marine in addition to other maritime organisations.

"Rajni Tribhuvan, former Mayor of Pune, Vice Admiral (retd) M P Awati and Vice Admiral (retd) V Pasricha, former Flag Officers Commanding in Chief (FOCINCs) of Western Naval Command (WNC), Mumbai, B K Saxena, principal, Tolani Maritime Institute and senior officers from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Merchant Marine were present on the occasion," stated a press release issued by Indian Maritime Foundation.

The cadets and the band of the Sea Cadet Corps, Pune Unit, were also present. The programme began at 11 am with naval prayer and a welcome address by commodore (retd) Rajan Vir, president, Indian Maritime Foundation. A one-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to seamen.

The War Memorial in Bund Garden is the only one in a public place in India which was dedicated to seamen in 2008 by the then mayor Rajalakshmi Bhosale.

ALSO READ

Hate speech: Pune court asks police to book Owaisi

CCTV cameras bought for CYG ‘vanish’

Kalmadi in troubled waters, rivals ready to make a 'splash'

IIT-B Techfest: City team wins RoboWars in record time