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Dear Colleagues, We are celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the celebration of 75 years of India's independence. Amrit Mahotsav embodies the glorious transition of a fledgling nation ravaged by years of colonisation into a growth engine that powers the international economy. While we recount the thrilling stories of the sacrifice and valour of our great freedom fighters with pride, this is also an occasion for us as a nation to look back and take stock of the great Indian growth story. India started off as a country sapped of its resources, wounded by the partition – a country which most thinkers thought would disintegrate in no time. Not only did India survive as an undivided nation, but our country also managed to epitomise a national identity amidst the diversity of language, caste, religion and culture. We continued on our democratic principles in contrast to many other countries which became independent around that time. At the time of independence, 4 out of 5 Indians were below the poverty line. Today, absolute poverty has reduced to less than one percent. There was a time when India received food grains as aid. Today, we are the world's 2nd largest producer of rice and wheat. When India got independence our literacy rate was 12%. Now, it is 74%. India is the fifth largest economy in the world and we aspire to be the factory of the world. It may be recollected that during the recent covid epidemic the entire world was looking up to India for supply of vaccines. The Indian growth story is far from over. There are more heights to climb and more glory to attain. We, in the port sector, have a formidable responsibility in turning the ports into the engines of the country's trade. Expansion of infrastructure, quality services and continuous reinvention is the need of the hour. Every port employee irrespective of department or designation needs to realise that our work is more than a livelihood, it is an offering to our motherland. The financial year 2022-23 has started on a positive note for Cochin Port. The notable performance of Cochin Port in handling of transhipment in the recent years gives immense scope for establishing Cochin as an important transhipment hub in the region. But there are miles to go yet. Let us resolve to offer ourselves to strive harder to help achieve greater economic growth and development of our nation. Cochin Port will definitely be able to make it its presence felt in the country's growth saga. Let us make Cochin an important link in the global logistic network. As we are heralding the arrival of Onam, with grand festivities I wish you all a very happy and prosperous Onam. Jai Hind. 15 August 2022 Dr. M. Beena IAS Chairperson Cochin Port Authority |