The Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF) was established in December 1993 by a group of officers who have served in the Indian Navy, the Indian Merchant Marine and other professions. They have dedication and a high sense of commitment to this cause of public service they have embarked upon.

The IMF is a non profit organization, registered in Pune as a charitable trust. It has branches in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

 
Seminar on Indigenization in the Maritime Domain and Implementing the Challenges of ‘Make in India’

The Combined Study Group of the Indian Maritime Foundation organized this seminar which was held at the Central Park Hotel, Pune on 5th November, 2015. Commodore Rajan Vir welcomed the Chief Guest VADM SPS Cheema, FOCinCWEST, the moderators and speakers and delegates that included defence officers both serving and retired, officers and cadets from the merchant marine, IMF members, captains of industry, academics, ladies etc. VADM Pasricha, in his inaugural address, gave a brief background of the maritime situation of the country. He traced the development of the Navy over the years, its indigenization programmes. with its successes and shortcomings. The Chief Guest VADM Cheema, after thanking the IMF for organizing a seminar on this very important and timely topic and inviting him, traced the beginnings of indigenization in the Navy and dwelt on its expansion plans which gave industry huge business opportunities. This was followed by sessions chaired by Radm Satish Godbole and Radm K. Srinivas, during which outstanding papers were presented by luminaries from across the spectrum. Read more about this on our Face Book page.
Remembrance Day 2015

Members of the Indian Maritime Foundation paid homage to the Seamen who lost their lives during WWI and WW II, at the Memorial constructed at the Mahatma Gandhi Udyan (Bund Garden) on Sunday the 15th of November 2015. Capt AK Bahl President (Marine) of British Marine was the Chief Guest.
JUNIOR SIMA SEASCAPES COMPETITION-2015

The annual Junior SIMA (Society of Indian Marine Artists) exhibition and ‘on the spot’ seascapes painting competition for children, was held in the cool and tranquil ambience of the Empress Garden, Pune on Sunday 22 Nov 15. Forty children, coming from different local schools, took part. The event began with a demonstration by Mr Prateek Tandon, a professional artist member of SIMA, on how to paint a seascape, and was keenly observed by the children standing around him. During the event, Mr Pingle, a senior trustee and the General Secretary of the Empress Garden, dropped by and was delighted to see what he called a welcome and laudable activity being undertaken for children in the garden. It was truly a fun-filled morning, much looked forward to by us every year. At the end of it, we hoped that a little sea-mindedness and pride was injected in the young minds present there.
IMF 22nd Anniversary Function

The Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF) turned 22 in December 2015, and we were indeed fortunate that the Director General of The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) accepted our invitation to be our chief guest and deliver the annual anniversary lecture. Mutually convenient dates were discussed and the anniversary lecture-cum-dinner was fixed for Sunday, the 17th of January, 2016. Vice Admiral HS Bisht, DG ICG was kind enough to come all the way from Delhi to be with us. We had a galaxy of flag and Senior Officers – both serving and retired at the well attended lecture. Prominent amongst these dignitaries were, Lt. Gen. BS Rawat, GOC-in-C Southern Command, VAdm Ashok Kumar, Commandant NDA, Addl DG SPS Basra, Commander Coast Guard Western Seaboard, Vadm V Pasricha, VAdm P Chauhan, RAdm PD Sharma, Cmde H Batra, CO INS Shivaji, Dr. Saxena, Principal Tolani Maritime Institute, Capt SS Naphade, ex- Nautical Advisor and a host of others. Cmde Vir welcomed all the guests and after the traditional lighting of the lamp, delivered his welcome address. Admiral Bisht, although only one year into the job of Director General, was wax eloquent about the growth and future of the Indian Coast Guard, its roles and functions, and its growing importance in the Maritime Domain. His talk, accompanied by a classy presentation kept the audience at rapt attention throughout. Full of information and yet not so much as to choke the listeners’ faculties, the talk was a heady mix of facts that made one proud of the Indian Coast Guard.
Seascapes Workshop at Peacock Bay

After a gap of two years, SIMA members were again back at Peacock bay at the National Defence Academy in Jan, 16 for their seascapes workshop. Among the participants were all our enthusiastic art stalwarts, including Shailesh Sonawane, Hoshnar Kaikobad, Prateek Tandon and Deepshikha. Shailesh obliged the group by conducting a demo on how to paint a seascape. It was a day spent enjoyably in the calmness of the Academy on a Sunday, with a gentle, cool breeze on the banks of the Khadakwasla Lake. We express our gratitude to VAdm G Ashok Kumar, Commandant, for giving his approval for us to visit NDA and our thanks go to the staff of the Naval Training Team for giving us all help during the day.
Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Seafarers' Memorial, Pune

IMF Council Members assembled at the Seadarers' Memorial at 0900 hrs on the 1st of February 2016, for the Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony. This Solemn ceremony is performed each year in honour of all seafarers - Navy, Merchant Navy, Coast Guard, Fishermen and all who venture into the sea.
SIMA’s Annual Exhibition of Seascapes

The annual exhibition of seascape paintings by the members of the Society of Indian Marine Artists ( SIMA ), a sister organization to the IMF established in 2001, was held for three days in February 2016, at the recently renovated and modernized art gallery in central Pune, the Balgandharva Kala Dalan. 45 fine seascapes done by 13 of our artists were on display. The Exhibition was inaugurated by our chief guest, Mrs Zarin Boyce, an eminent citizen of Pune, who is a social worker and a Rotarian of long standing. She was welcomed and introduced by Cmde R Vir, President of SIMA.
Lecture by Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan on Maritime Security

On the 23rd of Feb 2016, we were treated to an outstanding talk by Admiral Chauhan at the Boat Club, on Maritime Security and how it concerns us. This is the first in a series of lectures scheduled to be delivered by him over the next few months.
Know about our upcoming events and programs   Join IMF and contribute to a good cause   Learn from distinguished maritime experts   Volunteer and be a part of an international movement   Browse through our quarterly magazine and keep yourself updated