Jagatsinghpur, Nov 27: President Droupadi Murmu on Monday attended the Boita Bandana ceremony which was organized by the Paradip Port Authority at Paradip in Jagatsinghpur district. She returned to Delhi later in the aftenoon.

President Murmu also virtually inaugurated a Multi-Model Logistic Park as well as laid the foundation stones for a new reservoir and water treatment plant for Port Township and a next-gen Vessel Traffic Management and Information System.

On the occasion, the President said that remembering the historical memories of Baliyatra - a symbolic boat trip of merchants to the islands of Java, Sumatra, Bali etc every year is appreciable.

"Baliyatra is a unique festival celebrated in the memory of its glorious past. Celebrated since time immemorial, this festival is a symbol of the prosperity of the maritime trade of Odisha. It also highlights the rich cultural consciousness of the people of Odisha," she said.

The President said that the sea has been a major means of strengthening India's trade, commerce and international relations.

"Literature based on the sea has also enriched Indian culture. Odisha and other coastal states had a long and prosperous tradition of naval commerce. Apart from trade and commerce, those merchants also played an important role in spreading Indian art and culture abroad," President Murmu said.

The President said that maritime trade has been playing an important role in the trade and economic development of our country.

She noted that 95 per cent of India's total trade in terms of volume and 65 per cent in terms of value is done through sea transport. She stated that India's ports need to function with greater efficiency in line with global standards.

"That is why, there is a need to further strengthen the infrastructure of Indian ports and increase their efficiency. Sagarmala program is a commendable step in this direction. Government of India is working to realize the vision of 'Ports for Prosperity' and 'Ports for Progress'," she said.

"The President expressed happiness about the fact that Paradip Port's cargo handling capacity has doubled in the last decade," an official statement issued by President Secretariat said.

She expressed confidence that today's inaugurated Multi-Modal Logistics Park will give a new direction to the transparent development of trade.

"Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) enabled new modern signal stations will make navigation through this port more safe and orderly," the President said.

Later in the afternoon, she returned to New Delhi. Governor Raghubar Das and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik saw off her at the Biju Patnaik Internation Airport

(With ANI inputs)

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