Pratik Bijlani – On 13 February, the Narottam Morarjee Institute of Shipping (NMIS) held its 46th Convocation and Prize Distribution Ceremony at the auditorium of Shipping Corporation of India, Mumbai, celebrating the achievements of its graduating students. The ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Capt BK Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd, and Guest of Honour Capt MP Bhasin, Managing Director of MSC Crewing Services India Pvt Ltd, alongside distinguished industry leaders, faculty, alumni, parents, and students.
Established in 1969, NMIS has upheld a legacy of academic excellence and strong industry alignment, offering diplomas and fellowships tailored for working professionals through flexible weekend and online formats. This year’s convocation reinforced that commitment, marking not just academic milestones but also the professional growth of maritime leaders prepared to navigate a rapidly evolving global industry.
Chairman Capt Rahul Bhargava welcomed the gathering, describing the occasion as a celebration of perseverance and promise. He highlighted India’s maritime transformation through port modernization, multimodal growth, and national initiatives strengthening global trade leadership. Emphasizing that over 90% of world trade moves by sea, he reminded graduates of their vital role in an industry shaped by digitalization, automation, and sustainability, urging them to uphold integrity, leadership, and adaptability as future torchbearers of Indian shipping.
In his address, Capt Bhasin described the convocation as a defining milestone. He said, “Shipping is not merely a career; it is the backbone of global trade, moving over 90% of the world’s goods and sustaining nations. As you graduate today, remember that while technical knowledge will begin your journey, it is your character, integrity, and resilience that will define your success and shape the future of India’s maritime industry.” His speech was followed by the felicitation of organizations that contributed to student scholarships.
A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the NMIS Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr Arun Kumar Gupta, distinguished alumnus and former CMD of the Shipping Corporation of India. A marine engineer with nearly five decades of service, he led SCI’s financial turnaround in 2014 and later steered India’s first overseas port project at Chabahar as MD of India Ports Global Limited. Accepting the honour, Mr Gupta said, “I am an ordinary person shaped by an extraordinary institution. Whatever I have achieved began with the strong foundation NMIS gave me—the ABC and 360-degree view of shipping. Opportunities came with challenges, but with teamwork, mentorship, integrity, and faith, we overcame them. This honour belongs to all who walked that journey with me.”
Mr Rajeev Nayyer was conferred the NMIS Honorary Fellowship for his distinguished contribution to maritime professionalism and education. Faculty member Capt. Shailesh Bhambhani was also felicitated for his dedication to mentoring students while balancing professional commitments, noting the transformative opportunities emerging from digitalization and decarbonization.
Capt Tyagi congratulated the graduates and underscored India’s maritime sector as a strategic national priority. He stated, “You are graduating at a defining moment for India’s maritime sector—when policy, purpose, and opportunity are aligned. The future of Indian shipping will be shaped not only by government vision, but by the commitment and competence of young professionals like you.”
The ceremony concluded with the distribution of prizes and certificates, followed by a Vote of Thanks by Mr Ajay Reshamwala and hi-tea, marking a proud milestone in NMIS’s enduring legacy of shaping India’s maritime future.
Marex Media