Exim Integrated Club (EIC), Pune held its Annual Gala 4th Get-together & Networking Event on May 7, 2022 at Hotel “The President”, off Karve Road, Pune, which was attended by 200+ members & guests.
EIC is a not-for-profit group of enthusiastic professionals from the industry with their vision of “Collaborative & Collective Growth for all Stakeholders” through sharing knowledge, contacts and guidance. Today it is a 2,000+ strong group spread across India, from humble beginnings in 2016 by Founder Mr Anand Paranjape, supported by Secretary Mr Srikant Bhagavatula, President Mr S. P. Kulkarni and Vice President Mr Shambu Singh. EIC being the only group which brings together all stakeholders collectively, its events are “must attend” for industry professionals to connect, exchange information and knowledge during their networking meets.
EIC events have firmly established themselves as a key platform for the industry to showcase, promote their products and/or services and network with the professionals of all stakeholders under a single roof. This event was enthusiastically sponsored by eminent & renowned players of industry, said a release.
It started with an introduction of EIC’s activities, Vision, Mission and collective achievements across India – on Training, Webinars & Social Welfare initiatives and, most important, Covid-19 activities, conducted since its inception.
The EIC Pune event has always been a celebration of members’ and trade’s achievements, expression of respect seeped in Maharashtrian culture, values and ethics! This event started with the paying of respects to Customs & logistics Covid warriors who lost their lives during the pandemic, and Mr Mahesh Neelkantan, an active member of EIC Committee, who left for the heavenly abode quite suddenly in December 2021. His contribution will always be remembered by EIC and its members pan-India. The entire EIC Committee and their members were grieved by this sudden loss as was evident in their 2 minutes silence.
EIC activities lauded
The Chief Guest, Mr Dhruva Seshadri, Joint Commissioner of Customs, Pune, appreciated EIC for its various activities and initiatives in bringing all stakeholders under a single umbrella. He was felicitated by EIC President Mr S. P. Kulkarni & Event In-charge Mr Siddharth Sonawane with a token of gratitude, the frame of the “World Map”.
The Guest of Honour, Mr Santosh Dhoke, Director, International Airport, Pune along with Mr Simant Suman, Custodian and Cargo In-Charge at Pune Airport, were felicitated for their exceptional support by Mr Siddharth Sonawane with a Plant Pot to promote the “Go Green Initiative” and environment awareness.
Mr Srikant Bhagavatula, Secretary of Exim Integrated Club, was praised for his active contribution to EIC, being the first to initiate webinar on “SCMTR Simplified using 5W1H Concept” with Odex India Solutions and CSLA. While his knowledge and simple explanations have been widely acknowledged, he continues to support all stakeholders in understanding SCMTR, offer guidance on any issues they face as well as help companies in addressing SCMTR challenges in his professional ability. Thus establishing EIC’s vision of “Collective & Collaborative Growth” of all stakeholders.
Capt. Jasbir Singh, Head MMD3 (event partner), digital solutions division of Master Marine Services, shared his vast industry experience and appealed to the trade to use their various digital tools designed for Ease of Trade. This was followed by a detailed presentation by Mr Abhishek Das Bakshi explaining the various features of MMD3 – SCMTR, Form 13, VGM, Form 11, e-Forwarding Note etc., being effectively implemented across India through a single portal covering requirements of all trade..
A celebration of people
The EIC Pune event has always been a Celebration of People; there was a quiz and comic awards for members of the trade from Pune for their contributions to the industry during the past 2 years.
This was followed by Fretlog India Pvt. Ltd, event partner, a leading freight forwarder having HQ in Turkey, utilising the networking platform to introduce its newly launched software company named XLPXL IT Solutions India Pvt. Ltd.
XLPXL Techno presented its various software applications designed to meet trade requirements, from Booking to Billing, along with smart mobile apps highly effective in addressing today’s challenges, practically proving how productivity can be improved with new digital base softwares and mobile applications.
The event was also supported by companies like ATA Freight, United Liner and CMT, EMU Lines, Global Logistics and ACMPL, as well as Unity Movers, Mega Express, Fast Transport, Asia Shipping, Rajlaxmi Roadlines, Alacrity and Jai Bajrangbali Transport.
Motivation & Lifetime Achievement
It has always been the aim of EIC to provide maximum knowledge. Mr Yogesh Pawar, Director of SIL (SCHOOL OF INSPIRATIONAL LEADERSHIP), added more value to the event with his remarkable speech on leadership and grooming skills. He also shared insights on grabbing the right opportunity at the right time for flawless growth, business growth, and its procedures and practices.
The most important part of the event, the Lifetime Achievement Award, is always awarded to a member of the industry for his/her continuous support, guidance and hard work for the betterment of trade. This year, Mr S. P. Kulkarni, President of Exim Integrated Club; General Manager, ATC Global Logistics; and Secretary, Pune Customs House Agents Association (PCHAA) since its inception, was conferred with this honour and felicitated by Mr Anand Paranjape, Founder of EIC and the entire Pune EIC Committee Members and others with Pune’s famous Peshwai Pagadi, Shawl and Oukshan.
Mr S. Y. Ranade, the first President of PCHAA, Mr Deepak Bhargava, Past President, Mr Vinod Sharma, Treasurer, FFFAI, and Mr Pramod Kale, Current President, shared their firsthand experiences and praised Mr Kulkarni - fondly known as “SPK” - for his immense contribution, presence of mind, and calm, hardworking, dedicated and honest demeanour. EIC also planned a surprise by arranging for an eloquent recorded video message from Mr Shantanu Bhadkamkar, Founder & Chairman of ATC Global Logistics, Former President of AMTOI, Former Chairman of World Customs Brokers Association, Panel Member of Directorate General of Shipping, and advisor to many industry bodies. He was all praise, highlighting SPK’s key contribution to the success of ATC, who ensured they did not have to worry about managing day-to-day operations and focus on scaling the organisation to great heights. Speaking about SPK’s calm, patient and non-vengeful attitude, he shared an incident on how one of their staff had treated SPK – then a customer of ATC - in a very rude and insulting manner. Instead of reacting to the person, he just approached his seniors personally and explained things in a calm, composed and eloquent manner without making any fuss, which impressed them, resulting in he finally joining ATC.
Source: Pune: