PRESIDENT'S WELCOME ADDRESS
39th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (2016-2017)

Respected Members of MANSA,
Luminaries & Stalwarts of our Industry,
Past Presidents & my Predecessors,
The Current EC Members,
Colleagues and Friends,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

• At the onset, I would like to firstly, thank you all for taking time out to attend this meeting, which in my opinion is one of the Most Important meetings, we attend during the course of a year…
• On behalf of the Current Executive Committee, I would like to Welcome ONE and ALL to the 40th Annual General Body Meeting of MANSA…
• It has indeed been a pleasure to be a part of such an esteemed Organisation for 10 long years:
  • I must say, it has been a learning & a humbling experience
  • Yes, it’s been hard work…probably I can now go back to my weekend Golf…😊…and maybe give some more time to my family…
  • I have Spent almost 25% of my working life… serving MANSA and its honourable members….and by the time I finish as Immediate Past President…it would be 30%...which is 1/3rd of my professional life…
  • But I must say, it has been also immensely satisfying… a wonderful experience and journey with all of you…
• If we are to recall, the main agenda of founding MANSA:
  • Was to create a “united” front that gives a powerful voice to the Grievances of the Ship Agents:
    • Contributing to the growth of Ports in and around Mumbai
• In my TWO Terms as President, I have tried to redefine this to…
• Create a “united” front that gives a powerful voice to the Grievances of the Ship Agents:
  • Contributing to the growth of Ports on an ALL India basis
  • And now going on to the Global Platform…
• When I took over as President four years back, I focused primarily on the extension of the following:
  • Regional level to the National level representation (covering all the Major & Non Major Ports)
    • Changing the Name to make it visible at National level
• Developing MANSA linkages with Global players
• By taking Membership of FONASBA we now have an International representation and an International Platform… to work on…
  • I don’t know how Many of you would remember the “THEME” of the Sand Artist during the last AGM…
  • Which started from MANSA’s History to A Global reach…
• Set up Young Mansa Forum to bring young talent in the main stream
  • Develop Research papers, organise Conferences, Awards, Conclaves etc.
• Collecting funds to increase our Activities…
• Then Encouraging Maritime professionals for their contribution to the fraternity through Awards
• Media exposure for MANSA and creating awareness among the industry
• We have also associated MANSA with other maritime trade bodies such as CSLA, Other Trade Associations, Ministry of Shipping etc.
• We addressed Women Empowerment…and inclusiveness…
• And last, BUT NOT the least… setting up of an Incubator for the future Executive Committee Members… with respect to Young Mansa Forum (YMF)

I would like to thank each & every one of you for your constant support and belief in me and without you all it would not have been possible….

Today, I stand at a Cross road...where I have to take another route and direction….and so I must pass on the Baton…

• To Younger and MORE capable people…
• Remember, there was a Sachin after the Master… Sunil Gavaskar, a Virat after Sachin…
• So I firmly believe they were better before and there will be better after…because the World is constantly progressing…

On that Note…Let me begin my presentation…