Eastern India’s oldest shipping organization releases comprehensive volume on Kolkata’s rich maritime heritage
Kolkata, March 23 (IANS) Over 500 years ago, in 1517, the first European ship sailed to Bengal, marking the beginning of a rich maritime history. The recently released commemorative volume ‘Horizons’ celebrates 50 years of the Association of Shipping Interests in Calcutta (ASIC) and highlights Kolkata’s role in the world of shipping.
It was in 1535 that the Portuguese sailed up River Hooghly for the first time, laying the foundation for future maritime activities in the region. Fast forward to 1678, when the city of Calcutta was founded, becoming a bustling metropolis and the capital of British India. The first British vessel, The Falcon, sailed up the Hooghly in 1678, carrying 40,000 pounds sterling worth of bullion.
‘Horizons’ offers readers an immersive journey into Kolkata’s maritime world, featuring insightful interviews, articles from eminent personalities, and a treasure trove of information spanning the city’s 150-year-old port. Messages from dignitaries including the Prime Minister, Minister of Shipping, and even Amitabh Bachchan, who was a shipping executive in Kolkata, add to the volume’s allure.
The commemorative volume was released recently by West Bengal governor C.V. Ananda Bose, with Gautam Chakraborti, former Advisor to the Kolkata Port, serving as the editor-in-chief. Among those present at the event were Asok Janakiram, ASIC President; Arup Bandhu Guha, Senior VP of Samsara Shipping; and Subrata Chowdhury, VP of ASIC. Established as the oldest association of shipping companies in Eastern India, ASIC’s efforts to bring out the volume in 2021 were delayed due to the Covid pandemic.
