Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated and dedicated to the nation 3 MW solar power plant, commercial operation of two harbour mobile cranes and covered dome for coal handling at the Mormugao port in Goa on Wednesday.
P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Governor of Goa, Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, Shantanu Thakur, MoS Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, T.K. Ramachandran IAS, Secretary (Ports, Shipping &; Waterways), officers of the Indian coast guard, port authority and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Addressing gathering Vice President said, “In rapidly shifting geopolitical realities where global trade, strategic choke points, cyber threats and transnational crimes intersect, enforcing rules-based order at sea is increasingly challenging. It is becoming very important that rules-based order on sea prevails, but securing it is no less a challenge. India’s maritime security must be resilient, proactive and future-ready……Let us catch up with shipbuilding. Let us be leaders in shipbuilding. That is essential. The demands will rise. I think if I’m not mistaken, we carry 70 % of our cargo in value by ship, the demand will increase because our economy is not taking leap, it is taking quantum jump, we have to be prepared for it.”
VP Dhankhar underlined the significance of oceans for the nation and said, “Our Bharat today rises as both global economic force and maritime power committed to peace, sustainability and development. We are already the world’s fourth largest economy and emerging in the Indo-Pacific sector, a leader in our own right. Our oceans matter to us now more than ever before. They really matter to us for economy, for security, for sustaining our trade.”
Praising the dedication and service of the Indian Coast Guard the Vice-President said, “ Today is a special occasion for me. For three years as Governor state of West Bengal……A state that is prone to cyclones, super cyclones. I saw the dedication, performance, and commitment of the coast guards. I have come here to salute your courage and conviction. I was witness to your unwavering resolve as maritime sentinels, you are doing a wonderful job.
