The government of India has published a white paper on firm commitment to the wellbeing of seafarers and to maritime industry. The white paper states that the Directorate General of Shipping of India is collaborating with the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) to undertake several critical studies aimed at enhancing the mental health and well-being of Indian seafarers.
NIMHANS is an autonomous apex institution recognised as a centre of national importance under the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore Act, 2021. As the largest training centre for mental health and neuroscience professionals in India, NIMHANS brings extensive expertise and resources to this collaboration, ensuring that the mental health needs of seafarers are addressed comprehensively and effectively.
In celebration of the Directorate General of Shipping of India’s 75th anniversary, a two-day Health and Wellbeing Conclave is proposed to be organised as these events will concentrate on managing and coping with stress, as well as addressing mental health issues among seafarers. The conclave would aim to bring together experts, stakeholders and seafarers to discuss and develop strategies for improving mental health and well-being in the maritime industry. The insights and recommendations from this event will be used to enhance and integrate best practices into the operational frameworks of maritime administration, ensuring that the welfare of seafarers is consistently prioritised and improved.
“I commend the government of India and the Directorate General of Shipping for their comprehensive approach to enhancing the welfare of seafarers,” affirms Bjorn Hojgaard, CEO of the Hong Kong-based Anglo-Eastern Univan Group. “The ongoing mental health resilience training should be incorporated as part of mandatory courses for Indian seafarers, ensuring that they are better equipped to handle the unique stresses of life at sea.”
WE CARE programme
“The white paper’s focus on mental health, safety and streamlined processes mirrors many of the initiatives we have implemented at Anglo-Eastern,” adds Hojgaard. The ‘WE CARE’ programme of the group, which is the largest employer of Indian seafarers, prioritises the mental, emotional and physical well-being of Indian seafarers through initiatives such as mental health webinars, confidential support systems like the Anglo-Eastern Reach Programme and wellness surveys that allow continually assessing and improving the support systems.
The Directorate General of Shipping of India’s collaboration with NIMHANS will undertake several critical studies aimed at enhancing the mental health and well-being of Indian seafarers. This collaboration will primarily focus on the following key areas:
• Developing a model psychological examination framework: NIMHANS will work on creating a comprehensive psychological examination framework to assess the suitability of cadets for careers in the merchant navy. This model will help identify individuals, who are mentally and emotionally prepared for the challenges of life at sea, ensuring that only those fit for the demands of the profession are inducted.
• Preparing cadets/ trainees for induction into the Merchant Navy: The studies will also focus on developing programmes to prepare cadets for the unique environment and stresses of the merchant navy. This is likely to include psychological training, coping strategies, and mental resilience building, helping cadets adjust smoothly to the demands of their professional roles.
• Evaluating and improving mental health and well-being of seafarers: NIMHANS will conduct assessments and provide recommendations to enhance the mental health and overall well-being of Indian seafarers. This may involve regular mental health check-ups, counselling services and interventions designed to mitigate the mental health risks associated with prolonged periods at sea.
Recent estimates suggest that the total number of Indian seafarers has reached about 250,000, with some 160,000 holding professional certifications and serving on cargo ships, while about 90,000 work on cruise liners. Isolation is a key factor in driving mental health issues, as seafarers often feel cut off from their support systems. Certain crew members amongst them may be hindered by cultural and language barriers in seeking help. Maritime experts estimate over 25 per cent of seafarers suffer from severe depression and almost 6 per cent of deaths at sea is attributed to suicide, mainly due to stress & strain while discharging professional duties. However, the suicidal rate amongst seafarers is also pegged at 18 per cent by many maritime experts when suspicious deaths aboard ships that may have been suicides are included.
To curb and control the menace of mental illness and suicides by Indian seafarers serving aboard cargo and cruise ships, Anglo-Eastern Univan Group has pledged to collaborate with the government bodies in India and other stakeholders in the Indian maritime industry.
JAPANESE ART
Catching on
Anime and Manga are both Japanese art forms, which seem to be gaining popularity in India. Manga is a Japanese word for comics and graphic novels published in Japan and are usually printed in black and white. Anime refers to all forms of animation. Put simply, Manga stands for print and Anime, for animation. And, these two words are not inter-changeable.
If a Manga comic gains considerable success, then it gets animated. Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon are two Manga series that were thus animated. Similarly, Violet Evergarden and Zombie Land Saga, two popular animations, were converted to Manga too. Naruto, Dragon Ball Z, Death Note and Attack On Titan are some items in the growing list of popular anime in India. There is a view that easy availability of anime on OTT platforms is boosting its popularity.
Gaining popularity
Chainsaw Man, Death Note, Fullmetal Alchemist and One Piece have gained popularity in India in the Manga series. Some are of the opinion that the growing popularity of Anime has led to an increase in interest in Manga. So much so that Manga is now available in English in India. Channels in India seems to have started showing interest in Anime too.
Airtel Digital TV, along with Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (CMEPL: Sony YAY!) launched an anime channel (Anime Booth) in February this year. “Anime has captured global audience and is witnessing a remarkable surge in popularity in India also,” affirms Leena Lele Dutta, business head, Sony YAY! “To cater to this escalating demand, we are introducing ‘Anime Booth’ in collaboration with Airtel.”
San Fransisco-based Crunchyroll (a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation) is an Anime platform. The company entered India in 2022 by opening an office in Mumbai. And, in March this year, it opened its second office in Hyderabad.
India is among the top three priority markets, contended Rahul Purini, president, Crunchyroll LLC, who inaugurated the new office. Crunchyroll has plans to launch India-dedicated content, he added. Some of the animations have already been dubbed in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.
Direct-to-home (DTH) operator Tata Play has joined hands with Japan’s Anime network, Animax, to launch Anime content in March this year. From June this year, Tata Play has started broadcasting Anime in Hindi, Malayalam and Tamil.
JioCinema has commenced anime shows from May this year, taking off by launching the popular series Demon Slayer Season 4. “To grow the Otaku (anime fan) community in India, the offering will be home to a curated selection of hits and hidden gems, all available in an ultimate ad-free experience with offline viewing option,” says a press release from Jio.
The Manga comic books can be ordered on line and a few shops also sell Manga. In Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, there are a few shops, which sell Manga comics and related merchandise too.
An offshoot of the growing popularity of Anime and Manga is the increasing indulgence in cosplay (the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie or comic), Anime- and Manga-related merchandise and
Japanese cuisine in India.
BATTERY SWAPPING
The next big step
After proving its mettle with its two- and three-wheeler electric vehicle (EV) battery-swapping businesses, Sun Mobility, a leading provider of energy infrastructure and services for electric vehicles, has recently partnered with Veera Vahana to introduce India’s first modular battery-swapping technology for heavy electric vehicles (HEVs). This fully integrated mobility solution is designed to electrify bus and truck fleets, enhancing their operations. This marks another significant business opportunity for Sun Mobility and its stakeholders. The company’s collaboration with Bengaluru-based Veera Vahana, a leading bus manufacturer, has resulted in the launch of India’s first 10.5-metre battery-swappable buses for intercity and mofussil routes. All Veera Vahana heavy vehicles will now utilise the new technology.
In India, Sun Mobility has established strategic partnerships across the country to support and provide facilities for two- and three-wheeler EVs. Beyond India, its pilot projects are well underway in the Philippines, Peru, and Kenya, providing a gateway to other markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Africa, with several global players involved.
Electrifying commercial fleets, especially heavy vehicles, is crucial for reducing emissions, improving air quality, and boosting the overall efficiency of the transportation sector. Sun Mobility’s tried and tested Smart Batter solution is suitable for light, medium, and heavy trucks and buses, ranging from three-tonne to 55-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). The adoption of EVs across these segments will not only reduce emissions but also help the country save millions of dollars on crude oil imports.
“Sun Mobility has revitalised HEVs by overcoming major obstacles for bus operators, such as the high entry cost of ownership, exacerbated by inadequate HEV financing, extended downtime due to lengthy charging periods, and the significant strain of rolling out charging infrastructure. Our partnership with Veera Vahana marks a significant milestone as we introduce India’s first modular swapping technology, providing a practical and cost-effective solution for operators, enhancing efficiency, and reducing operational costs,” said Ashok Agarwal, CEO of HEV, Sun Mobility. “Since the batteries are somewhat heavy, we’ve designed a robot to change the battery in 135 seconds. We will offer this as a service, meaning customers no longer need to purchase the battery. We will roll out the infrastructure, own the battery, and sell the energy – similar to how bus and truck operators currently buy diesel,” explained Agarwal.
New benchmarks
According to company sources, battery swapping will reduce the upfront cost of buses by 40 per cent, bringing it in line with the upfront cost of traditional ICE buses. This, combined with easier access to financing, will lower the barriers for fleet owners to adopt EVs. Additionally, it reduces operational costs for fleet operators by up to 20 per cent while increasing uptime and utilisation of buses, thanks to the swift swapping process, which takes under three minutes. The compact and lightweight form factor of the battery also ensures higher payload-carrying capacities.
“As one of the fastest-growing bus manufacturers in India, Veera Vahana has been setting new benchmarks in the quality and innovation of transportation. We are proud to partner with world leaders in battery swapping and to leverage indigenous innovation and engineering potential to develop truly world-class electric mobility solutions,” said K Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director of Veera Vahana.
Since its inception in 2017, Sun Mobility has onboarded over 26,000 vehicles across two-, three-, and small four-wheeler fleet segments. With more than 630 battery-swapping stations across the country, the company clocks around 1.6 million km and 60,000 battery swaps each day. Its recent strategic joint venture with Indian Oil combines Indian Oil’s network of over 37,000 fuel stations across the country with battery-swapping technology, making it as accessible as conventional fuel stations.
“Our company’s latest innovation for HEVs will disrupt the commercial vehicle sector and accelerate the electrification of this crucial segment, which is vital to the cargo and passenger transportation industry. Sun Mobility’s vision has always been to make electric mobility affordable and a reality,” said Chetan Maini, Co-Founder and Chairman of Sun Mobility. “We are thrilled to pioneer this alongside Veera Vahana and are confident that it will unlock a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for OEMs, fleet operators, and financiers, positioning India as a global leader in transportation electrification models,” added Maini.
In addition to Sun Mobility, several other battery-swapping solution providers operate in India, including Battery Smart, Gogoro, Voltup, Chargeup, and Race Energy. Most of these companies primarily cater to two- and three-wheeler EVs. Sun Mobility, however, is the first mover into the heavy commercial electric vehicle segment, starting with electric buses. The company is also in discussions with a number of fleet operators, including OEMs for buses and trucks, to expand its reach across the country.
S M BOOTHEM