News & Views - The TMI-BITS DLC Newsletter

May 2004 Issue 02/2004

It has been our consistent policy to continuously review the programme based on the inputs/feedback received from our students in particular and Company Training Officers and the Industry in general. We are happy to inform our readers that the feedback we get from students is indeed invaluable. Based on such inputs we have realised the need to reduce the academic burden of our students.

Accordingly, we reviewed the procedure of completion of tasks in Modules in Sem D, E & F and have now permitted the students, presently studying in Sem D, E & F to answer two tasks only per module in respect of those modules which have not been completed as on date.

Further, we have done away with Task Record Book in the new revision of courseware of Semester D, E & F and have issued instructions to such students to solve any two tasks per modules. In addition, two assignments of 2000 words per subject per semester have been introduced.

The students presently studying in Sem D & E will now receive the revised courseware for Sem E & F on completion of their respective semesters.

We have also permitted the students studying in Sem A, B & C to complete some of the modules while on leave for which a special planner has been prepared. Hence, all our students of Sem A, B & C are advised to contact the Institute, when on leave, to obtain a copy of the special planner and the journals for the same.

The Institute is a little behind on correcting journals but the faculty is aware of it and is concentrating on the same.

We like students, who explain their studies in detail but sometimes the students should realise that the answers required should be to the point and not a rambling essay. Copying an entire module is not studying, it is just being a copycat!

When students grumble that they do not have sufficient time they should realise that writing journals is like drawing notes and not writing a book.

Sagarmala Project :

As part of the National Maritime Day celebration held on 05 May 04 in Mumbai, a seminar was conducted on ‘Sagarmala Project’. The following is a brief overview:

The Sagarmala project- On the Threshhold of A Dream

-by Capt,P,Srivastava, TMI(DL)

During the 41 st National Maritime Day celebrations held recently in Mumbai, Mr.S.Hajara, Director(P&A), Shipping Corporation of India, and Chairman, seminar sub-committee for the 41 st National Maritime Day celebrations, 2004, presented a background paper on the ambitious100,000 crore Sagarmala project announced by Prime Minister Vajpayee last year. The project encapsulates a number of sub-projects in its vast umbrella.

Hailing it as a programme rather than a project, Mr. Hajara said that this project belonged to every Indian engaged in shipping and ports. He said Sagarmala meant sub-projects of rapid capacity expansion and modernization of the Indian maritime infrastructure, including ports along the east and west coasts of the country

Speaking on the financial outlay, he said the project was envisaged to be executed through public/private investments. Government policy allows 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment in the ports, shipping and inland water transport sector and there appears to be considerable interest among foreign investors in maritime projects in India.

The Sagarmala project will encompass all the facets of the maritime sector, including ports, shipping, ship-building, inland waterways as well as maritime education and training with the aim of fully realizing the potential of the maritime sector. This sector, was bound to play a major role in the accelerated development of India and its economy. The objectives of this project are to be achieved in a time-frame of 8-10 years.

Mr. Hajara felt that the project would infuse new life into some of the neglected sectors of the maritime industry such as inland waterways and coastal shipping. The development of the sub-sectors would revitalize shipbuilding and repair activity as well.

The project also envisages setting up of Two Maritime Universities; one on the east coast and one on the west coast

The union shipping ministry has been giving shape to the project over the last few months, more so since Shipping Minister Shatrughan Sinha claimed that “with our sea borne cargo traffic expected to cross the 1 billion ton mark by 2012, I believe the implementation of the Sagarmala project will ensure India’s quantum leap into national and global connectivity”.

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Varuna Award

It is a matter of great pride for all of us here at Tolani Maritime Institute (Distance Learning) that Late Capt SSS Rewari was recently awarded (posthumously) the prestigious ‘Varuna Award’ on recognition of his invaluable contribution to the development of maritime training. The award was received by his wife Mrs Amarjit Rewari at the National Maritime Day Function held on 5 th April 04.

At this juncture, we would like to acknowledge the important role played by Late Capt Rewari in his capacity as a faculty in the Government institutes followed by the able stewardship as the Captain Superintendent of the training ship and as the Principal of the LBS Nautical College. He was one of our guiding “Domain Persons’ in the initial stages of launching the Diploma Programme in Nautical Sciences and his advice was very helpful in starting the programme.

Change of Email Address

Consequent to MTNL changing their Domain Server, one of our email addresses; viz;
“ tefbits@bol.net.in” has now been changed to “ tefbits@mtnl.net.in” However, we request all our students and CTOs to contact us on our email ID “dlp @tolani.edu”.

Change of Telephone Numbers - FOSMA(Delhi)

The new Telephone Numbers are - 011 29521911 / 29521436 / 2952 1181 / 2952 2975 / 2952 2964

Students’ Page

An interesting article written by Cadet Sandeep Bhalla, of Chellaram Shipping Co is reproduced below :

A Look Into The Future - Shipping Industry In 22 nd Century

--by Sandeep Bhalla

Nobody knows about future but one can just imagine it. So this article is a perception of the reality in a lighter mood and not to be taken seriously.

As everybody knows that shipping industry is a vast industry. Merchant ships transport near about 98% of the cargo from one country to the other. Vessel engaged in trade on higher latitudes are different with respect to construction because of the climatic conditions near the poles.

Each day new ships are being built and join our shipping family. The increasing number of ships also increases the percentage of garbage produced on board. Presently we can throw a particular type of garbage overboard as per the MARPOL 73/78 but the future is not going to be the same. In coming future the whole oceans will be certified as-special areas and throwing anything overboard will be a crime. So what is going to happen is that we will not be allowed to throw garbage or to pump out hold bilges. As a result of which hatch cleaning will be done in port and all the dirty water will be pumped ashore with the help of shore facilities.

As the companies are reducing the complement (Crew Members) ships will be going to do dry dock every year and absolutely no maintenance will be carried out on board. There will be just sufficient members to run / navigate the ship safely. As a result of reduced complement, there will not be any jet chisels or chipping hammers to derust the ship.

In future during mooring stations no person will be required because the shore fenders will be of electromagnetic type and ship can just go and stick to the shore fenders. The fenders will be slotted type so that vessel can roll or surge easily. Thus the companies making mooring winches will close down and will start making electromagnetic fenders. Hahahahaha!!

These days before joining the ship a seaman has to do certain courses like PST, PSSR, FPFF, EFA etc. One new course will be launched known as “Helicopter Operation” because helicopters will replace lifeboats and life rafts.

In future ships will be on permanent and short voyages (Liner Trade) and will be tracked by shore stations with help of satellites. This is to assist the rescue operation in case of emergency and perhaps navigation too.

So my dear seafarers just think if the future is going to be like this then what is going to happen with us. As I see it is going to happen only in distant (very distant) future, there is still some time for likes of me to rise up to become a Master. Phew! What a respite. I was so tensed.

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Our Progress

The student strength of the Institute as on 15 Apr ’04 was as follows :

642 students have completed Phase 1 (SSTP) as on 15 Apr ’04.

The following cadets have passed the Diploma in Nautical Sciences (Phase 1 of BS Programme) since we published our last Newsletter, obtaining grades as stated:

12 cadets have obtained more than 75% marks (Excellent Grade), 57 obtained more than 60% (Good Grade)and 08 passed with 50% or more marks (Fair Grade).

Well Done!

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