By Raju Vernekar
Mumbai, Sept. 1:
Lord Ganesha is an universal deity which encompasses the globe and is worshipped in different parts of the world, as evident from the Ganesh festival celebrated by the seafarers aboard a chemical/oil products tanker “Ocean Dignity” on its way to North West Africa.
The vessel is sailing at a speed of 12.4 knots and expected to reach Naoudhibou Port (city in Mauritania) on September 04. However the work load did not deter the seafarers who celebrated the festival right from Ganesh Chaturthi (August 22) to Anant Chaturdashi (01 September) with gusto and jubilation.
Lord Ganesha one of the most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon. His image is found throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bali (Indonesia) and Bangladesh and in countries with large ethnic Indian populations including Fiji, Mauritius and Trinidad and Tobago. Hindu denominations worship him regardless of affiliations.
As part of the festival, a pooja was performed, prasad was distributed and other rituals were followed regularly every day. The seafarers prayed the almighty to ward off an ominous COVID-19 from the world. Lord Ganesha, is also referred to as “Vighnaharta”, the one who wards off evil.
The festival was celebrated absolutely within marine pollution control norms, which prohibit dumping off, any harmful substance into the sea. The task began right from the preparation of idol. There was no question of the idol of clay being crafted. As such dough of wheat flour was used to prepare it. It was installed in one of the big halls to facilitate assembly of more persons for pooja.
Everyone aboard the vessel, right from the stewards to chief engineer, spared time to contribute towards preparation and decoration of the Makhar (decorative frame) to install the idol. To get the flowers for pooja was another important task. As such the old paper charts and maps were used to prepare flowers, which were painted red to resemble them to the flowers of “Jasvandi” (Hibiscus). It is believed that Ganesha likes the Hibiscus flowers most. The “Durva” (trailing grass, referred to as cynodon dactylon) was another essential ingredient for the pooja. As such paper Durvas were made and painted in green. A brass thali and a bell required for the pooja was also fabricated aboard the ship.
Since as per the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, entertainment programs are permitted on the vessel, there was no objection to the festival being organised on board. The required permission was obtained from the owners of the vessel to celebrate the festival, Captain Bhushan Abhyankar said speaking telephonically to IT. The festival provided relief to the stressed seafarers who are worried about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and well being of their families at home, he added.
Although import, export activities have not been affected much, due to the pandemic, the seafarers are demoralised since it has put a damper on their spirit and an uncertainty looms large on their future prospects. Under these circumstances, the celebration of Ganesha festival was certainly a pleasing experience, Herald Maritime Services Private Limited(HMSPL) Executive President Captain Rajendra Y Barve said.
The Mumbai based HMSPL operates over 35 vessels belonging to different owners, including Bergshav(Norway), Ship Surveys and Services Srl, Napoli NA, Italy, Essar Shipping Port and Logistics Limited and Tag Offshore of India.
