Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, announced the establishment of a Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) office in Guwahati during his attendance at the 44th Manik Chandra Barooah Memorial National Debate Competition at Cotton University. This initiative aims to enhance maritime education and opportunities for students in the Northeast by facilitating collaboration between Cotton University and the National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI) in Patna.
The new MMD office, part of the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, will offer seafarer certification and safety services closer to aspiring maritime professionals in the region. Sonowal emphasized that this development would reduce travel time and costs for certification, thereby encouraging more youth from the Northeast to consider careers in the maritime and shipping sectors.
While paying tribute to Manik Chandra Barooah, Sonowal highlighted his contributions to Assam’s educational landscape, particularly through the establishment of Cotton College. He underscored the importance of debate in fostering democracy, encouraging students to engage in reasoned dialogue and respectful disagreement. The Minister reiterated that these initiatives are crucial for integrating the Northeast into India’s broader growth narrative, particularly leveraging the region’s rich riverine resources for maritime development.
