MARITIME HERITAGE DAY (INDIA'S MARITIME CONNECTIONS & SHARED CIVILIZATIONAL LEGACY)

The Maritime Heritage Day, with the theme “India’s Maritime Heritage & Shared Civilizational Legacy”, organized as part of India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, is an initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) to celebrate and showcase India’s glorious maritime legacy and its enduring civilizational connections across the seas. Scheduled for October 28, 2025, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, the event will bring together maritime experts, historians, cultural practitioners, policymakers, and international stakeholders to deliberate on India’s ancient oceanic traditions and their continuing influence on contemporary maritime engagement. The day will commence with the Inaugural Ceremony, followed by panel discussion on "India’s Maritime Connections", which will focus on India’s ancient trade routes, maritime diplomacy, and cultural linkages across the Indian Ocean region. Followed by a Closed-Door Meeting for the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) will be convened to mobilize partnerships for heritage development. In the afternoon, second panel discussion on "Shared Civilizations and Legacy" will explore India’s maritime interactions with other ancient civilizations, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping global cultural exchanges and knowledge flows. The day will culminate with a Valedictory Session and a grand Operatic Dance Drama – Amṛta Manthana: The Churning of the Ocean, presented by Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh and Shri N. Ravikiran. The performance will artistically capture the spiritual, cultural, and philosophical ethos of India’s maritime past, symbolizing the timeless bond between the ocean and Indian civilization.

Following a networking lunch and pavilion visit, Session B will hold a closed-door fundraising roundtable and convene CEOs and CSR heads from leading maritime and industrial organizations. Session C will feature international scholars and museum directors from various countries. The day will conclude with a valedictory session and a vibrant cultural extravaganza featuring performances by international troupes.This celebration will reinforce India’s maritime identity and its global cultural connections.