Wreath Laying at Seafarers Memorial 2024
IMF Council Members paid homage to Indian seafarers during the Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Seafarers’ Memorial at 1130 hrs on the 25th of February 2024. The Seafarers’ Memorial was built by the IMF in 1998 and is dedicated to all Indian Seafarers – naval, merchant naval, fishermen and others, who have lost their lives at sea in service of our nation. The Memorial was recently repaired, renovated and given a more aesthetic appearance, thanks largely to the efforts of Capt Ajay Badamikar and Col Julius Rocque. This year, Vice Admiral Jaywant Korde PVSM AVSM VSM, IN (Retd), President Navy Foundation Pune Chapter was also invited as a special guest. Cmde Rajan Vir, Founder and President Emeritus IMF – who has always been an inspiration to IMF Members – graced the occasion, despite not maintaining the best of health. He was escorted by his daughter Naina.
The wreath–laying ceremony commenced with the reciting of the naval prayer led by Capt Anand Dixit, President IMF. A wreath was then laid by Capt Dixit and VAdm Korde, followed by Capt Ravindra Hajarnavis, Sr VP and Cmde A Chitnis VP NFPC. Other Council Members present were Cmde PK Malhotra, RAdm RJ Nadkarni, Capt Sudhir Subhedar, Capt Rabi Mishra, Cdr Mukund Yeolekar, Col Julius Rocque, Capt Ajay Badamikar, Capt Honavar, Capt Tipnis, Mrs Poonam Gulati and Dr Gopi Shetty. Two young Girl Sea Guides represented the next generation of seafarers.
Some photographs taken on the occasion may be viewed in the gallery below.
