Honouring Women Powering India’s Maritime Future At GRSE

Recognition For Women In Maritime Excellence

At a ceremony held on 18 May 2026 at ITC Sonar, Kolkata, organised by the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai in association with the National Maritime Day Celebrations Committee (NMDCC), Smt. Aparajita Ghosh, Chief General Manager (Finance), and Smt. Debjani Sen, Additional General Manager (Central Design Office), were recognised for their outstanding contributions. The awards were presented by Shri Dilip Ghosh, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of West Bengal.

Celebrating Leadership In Finance And Design

Smt. Aparajita Ghosh received the “Women Excellence Award in Maritime Sector” for her professional excellence and her role in strengthening GRSE’s financial framework. Her leadership in finance reinforces GRSE’s reputation for robust fiscal management and responsible growth.

Smt. Debjani Sen was acknowledged for her contribution to ship design and engineering, reflecting GRSE’s strong in-house capabilities in crafting cutting-edge naval platforms. Her work in the Central Design Office supports GRSE’s ability to deliver complex, technologically advanced warships and vessels.

Significance For GRSE And The Maritime Ecosystem

The dual recognition of GRSE’s women officers at a prestigious maritime forum underscores the company’s emphasis on inclusivity, meritocracy and professional excellence across disciplines. It also mirrors a broader shift in the maritime and defence sectors, where women are increasingly steering functions spanning finance, design, engineering and project execution. This aligns with India’s vision of a modern, diverse and innovation-led maritime workforce.

GRSE’s Legacy And Growing Maritime Footprint

Founded in 1884 as a small workshop repairing river vessels, GRSE has evolved into a leading Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence and a Schedule ‘A’ Mini Ratna Category I company. It was the first Indian shipyard to build a warship for the Indian Navy, INS Ajay, in 1961, and has since delivered over 800 platforms, including 118 warships for the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign nations.

Beyond warships such as frigates, corvettes, fleet tankers, landing ships and patrol vessels, GRSE has built export warships like CGS Barracuda for Mauritius, SCG PS Zoroaster for Seychelles and MV Ma Lisha for Guyana. The shipyard has also diversified into engineering, including pre-fabricated steel bridges, deck machinery, marine diesel engine work and 30mm naval surface guns. With four distinct shipyards, the capability to build 28 ships concurrently, a strong design team and next-generation VR-enabled design tools, GRSE continues to live its motto: “In Pursuit of Excellence and Quality in Shipbuilding.”

Key Highlights

1. Two senior women officers of GRSE honoured at International Day for Women in Maritime Excellence 2026 in Kolkata
2. Award to Smt. Aparajita Ghosh for excellence in finance and strengthening GRSE’s financial framework
3. Recognition of Smt. Debjani Sen for driving ship design and engineering capabilities at GRSE
4. Event organised by Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, with NMDCC, spotlighting women’s role in maritime
5. GRSE’s legacy spans over a century, with 118 warships and 800+ platforms delivered, plus growing export and engineering footprint

Sources: GRSE press release and publicly shared company information.