Seafarers celebrate DIWALI festival with Indian counterparts onboard MT Biskra at Lagos port.
Seafarers celebrate DIWALI festival with Indian counterparts onboard MT Biskra at Lagos port.
Segun Oladipupo
Indigenous and foreign seafarers, on Sunday, celebrated Indian festival, DIWALI onboard Motor Tanker Biskra in Lagos
Diwali, an annual.frstival often celebrated at the fourth quarter of the year, is described as the festival of lights and its one of the biggest festivities celebrated by Indians worldwide.
In commemoration of the festival, seafarers from Nigeria, India, Senegal, Bulgaria and Philippines joined their Indian counterpart to celebrate this year’s edition onboard MT Biskra.
The vessel crew said the celebration was symbolic as sumptuous Indian cuisines were served at the event even as the guests were entertained with Indian music all through the period of celebration.
Speaking, Technical Superintendent, Maritec Tanker Management, PVT Limited, Mumbai-India, Kamlesh Jalori expressed satisfaction over the turnout of the seafarers, saying it was the first time crew onboard the ship celebrated the event in Nigerian waters.
According to the seasoned mariner, Diwali has no fixed date of celebration but added that it is often celebrated during the last quarter of every year according to Hindu calendar.
He further thanked the crew onboard the ship for marking this years’ festival onboard MT Biskra on Nigerian waters a success noting that there are possibilities of celebrating the event in Nigeria waters in 2024, if the vessel sails to Africa and Nigeria in particular.
His words, “The event is usually organised in the last quarter of every year. Usually in October and November.”
He called on Nigerians to show brotherly love to one another and embrace peace and harmony.
Also speaking, Managing Director, Massc Global Marine Limited, Engr. Sese Michael Atina, a world class seasoned Marine Engineer, pointed out that the celebration is symbolic as it is the first time of celebrating the event in the nation’s waters.
Engr Sese said his company was a service provider to the Indian shipping company adding that the celebration is aimed at entertaining the crew from Europe and Asia.
“The beauty of celebrating DIWALI aboard the ship this year in Nigeria waters is aimed at giving the seafarers sense of belonging and to keep them entertained and make them feel at home as if they are with their loved ones and families.
“This is my first time celebrating DIWALI festival in Nigeria waters but I normally celebrate it outside the shores of the country.
“DIWALI is celebrated in Nigeria at luxury hotels but onboard a ship in Nigeria, I will say it’s the first time and it’s fun all the way,” Engr. Sese added.
Highpoints of the celebration was gifts presentation to the crew by the service provider, life band session aboard the ship as performed by Kevwie and Ejiro Sese Atina plus indian dance and cuisine.
