Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik Pays Tribute to Naval Martyrs on Maritime Day

Mumbai, April 5 – On the occasion of National Maritime Day, Maharashtra’s Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik visited the Indian Seafarers’ Home at Masjid Bunder in Mumbai and paid homage to the naval personnel who sacrificed their lives during the First and Second World Wars. She inspected the premises and appreciated the facilities made available for the seafarers. The Chief Secretary also interacted with representatives of the maritime sector and learned about various issues concerning sailors and the shipping industry.

A wreath-laying ceremony was organized on behalf of the Central Committee for the 62nd National Maritime Day celebrations. Director General (Shipping) and Chairman of the Central Maritime Day Celebration Committee, Shyam Jagannathan, Deputy Director General (Shipping) and Committee Secretary Dr. P.K. Raut, and other dignitaries were present. Representatives from the shipping sector laid wreaths and paid their respects. Dr. Raut also provided information about the Indian Seafarers’ Home Society and the Memorial Hall.

Chief Secretary Saunik highlighted the Maharashtra Government’s support in the development of Vadhavan Port and called upon those present to contribute innovative ideas for the future development of areas under the jurisdiction of the Mumbai Port Authority. She mentioned the state’s proposal to create shipbuilding facilities in the Mumbai region and urged the maritime industry to collaborate on the initiative. Appreciating awareness programs related to maritime education, she expressed readiness to bring various foreign consulates based in Mumbai onto a common platform to facilitate dialogue with the maritime sector.

About the Indian Seafarers’ Home

The Indian Seafarers’ Home Society in Mumbai was established in memory of the brave Indian naval personnel who laid down their lives during the First and Second World Wars. The building is situated between Masjid Bunder Siding Road and Thane Street.

The central feature of the “Home” is the Memorial Hall, whose walls display 12 bronze plaques bearing the names of Indian seamen who died during World War I.

Above the plaques is a carved bronze inscription that reads:
“Here, in eternal honor and remembrance, are inscribed the names of 2,223 seamen – from the Royal Navy, Royal Indian Marine, and Merchant Navy – who died in the Great War and whose grave is the sea.” (1914–1918)

These plaques were made in England and provided by the Imperial War Graves Commission (now known as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

Construction of the “Home” began in November 1930, and the foundation stone was laid on January 14, 1931, by then-Governor of Bombay, Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes.

In 1962, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission added a new memorial in the hall, commemorating 6,531 seamen who died at sea during the Second World War (1939–1945), including 438 from the Royal Indian Navy and 6,093 from the Indian Merchant Navy. This memorial is a glass-covered bronze casket placed at the center of the hall, containing a Book of Names set on a marble pedestal. The book, printed in Hindi, includes the dedication:
“This book contains the names of 6,500 sailors and merchant navy seamen who died in the service of their motherland and whose grave is only the sea.”

To further honor the 6,531 seamen who died during World War II, the Government of India constructed a three-storey building in front of the Home, providing accommodation for 700 seamen. This building is known as the Seamen’s Hostel. The residential facility is divided into two wings, with a combined capacity to house 1,015 maritime workers.