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भारत प्रवाह
'Bharat Pravah’
India along its Rivers and Shores

"Rivers and Seas have deep connotations and connect with the social psyche, the 'janmanas' of Bharat."

Supported by

 

Prime Partner

 

Overview

From Dwarika in the west to Guwahati in the east; from Varanasi/Ayodhya in the north to Rameswaram in the south – rivers and seas have deep meanings and connect within the social psyche of India. They connect people and their hearts - janmanas, in an abstract but firm manner. Rivers and seas have a deep impact on our lives, whether we live near or farther to them. From everyday economic activities to our rituals and religious texts, rivers and seas, and the people around them, occupy a special place in our hearts and lives.

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About the Conference

For highlighting this deep impression of the significance and imagery of rivers-ports-shipping in everyday life, we are organizing a series of regional, national and international events (dialogues/conferences) with participation from intellectuals, influencers and practitioners of the society. These events would yield a set of new literature on the significance of the ports/riverways/shipping in everyday life.


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Engagement / Awareness

Along with organizing events and conferences, Bharat Pravah, also intends to make ports, rivers and shipping a part of the everyday discourse of citizens, with special focus on young demography. For this purpose, through social media posts, reels and podcast, Bharat Pravah raises awareness about the rich maritime history of India and the latest happenings in the shipping industry as well as various endeavours of the Ministry.


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Participants

Scholars, Academicians, Policy practitioners who work around the issues of shipping, ports, waterways, rivers will be invited to participate in the conferences. Bharat Pravah will serve as a common platform to bring together stakeholders from different walks for the purpose of creating a larger vision of shipping, rivers, seas & people.



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Themes

 
  • Development of Indian civilization – Indus Valley Civilization at Lothal and Kalibangan.
  • Port towns in India – their contribution towards developing India as a civilization since ancient times.

Contemporary historical perspective- the role of Port Towns in India’s development –

    • The historical role of port towns in India’s economic development – from Masala trade to colonialism
    • Role of port towns and shipping in India’s freedom movement.
  • Life along the rivers – Historical evolution of India’s social and cultural centres along Ganga, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Krishna and Kaveri
  • Migration and shipping – the first and second wave of migration from India – Girmitiya and the Caribbean countries
  • The Indian diaspora and the cultural connect – Rivers, ports, and ships in Kazri, Bhojpuri, Bhatiali and folk literature, and music of  Eastern India
  • Culture and literary traditions of Brahmaputra – from Shankar Dev to the present times
  • Coastal community’s lives and their livelihood
  • Representation of port towns and culture in the Indian cinema 
  • Ports and ships in India’s literature – English, Hindi, and other major languages  in India 
  • Stories of travel through seas and rivers in India’s major languages  
  •  The significance of public port trusts in the development of different regions 
  • How the dependence upon petroleum products has increased the importance of ports and shipping in everyday life
  • The hinterland’s ignorance – how ports and shipping have escaped the common consciousness of the people in the last 30 years
  • Role of ports in the Indian economy until LPG reforms – liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation.
  • What has privatisation of ports brought to the forefront concerning efficiency, economy, and market reach?
  • Growth of entrepreneurial activities around rivers and seas.
  •  Trade and commerce through and around seas and rivers.
  • The role played by port trusts (public undertakings) in the development of port towns and the economic sphere around them.
  • The difference of perspectives in the economics of private and public ports in India, as well as the significance of the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
  • Historical role played by existing waterways.
    • In connecting the towns and cities
    • In the development of trade and commerce
    • In cultural and social relations
    • In mitigating climate change and conserving environment
  • Contribution to the contemporary debate around sustainability and energy transition.
  • How can ports be sustainable in terms of resource use?
  • What measures could be introduced for energy transition in the ports and the development of a circular economy?
  • How can ports move towards clean and safe shipping with improving productivity?
  • Can ports of the country contribute to the national net-zero targets?
  • What are the challenges faced by the Ports, Shipping, and Waterways industry?
  • What measures and policies should be introduced to tackle these challenges?
  • What is the future of the industry? What is the vision for the industry in the coming future?

'Ports of India'

1. Kolkata
2. Vishakhapatnam/Paradip
3. Chennai/Tuticorin
4. Rameswaram
5. Cochin/Parambur
6. Mangalore
7. Port Blair
8. Marmugao
9. Mumbai
10. Kandla/Mundra

 

'National Waterways of India'

1. Guwahati/ Dibrugarh
2. Kolkata/Hooghly
3. Patna
4. Gorakhpur
5. Varanasi
6. Ayodhya
7. Kanpur
8. Ahmedabad /Narmada / Tapi
9. West Coast Canal – Kollam/ Calicut / Kottayam / Alappuzha

 

Regional Conferences

We are inviting scholars, individuals, university departments, research institutes, etc., in and around ports of different states/regions who are working around the themes/subthemes. These events will give us a better understanding of the subject and the body of knowledge along with a network of people who we would be working with for a long time.

 

National Conference

A national conference of 2-3 days would be organized in the national capital around the ‘Significance of Ports and Shipping in Everyday Life in India’ with participation from scholars, practitioners, university departments, research institutes, etc., who are working around themes/subthemes to highlight the challenges, policy issues and future goals relating to the maritime sector.

International Conference

To showcase India’s historical contribution and social/cultural connect with rivers-seas-ports, we would organize an international conference with participation from the topmost institutions/scholars from across the world. People who are working on the social, cultural and economic significance of waterways, ports and shipping and are the best names in the field across the world in academia, journalism and industry will be part of the conference.

Details of location, organization, participants, partners, etc. for this international conference would emerge from our experiences and responses to our regional and national conferences.

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