“Visit to Mumbai Port” PGDM ( 2019-21 Batch ) – International Business students of 2019-21 Batch

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” -Leonardo da Vinci

On the night of 21st February, spirits were high and the hearts were full of joy as the students of PGDM International Business, 2019-21 batch from Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) flew to Mumbai, alongwith faculty members Dr. Amrendra Pandey and Dr. Shreya Misra, for port visit!
In order to promote experiential learning, International Business Program curriculum encompasses National & International port and industrial visits for its students. However, due to unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic situation, the International port visit was cancelled. However, that didn’t stop all the fun and learning which was waiting in Mumbai!

The first day began with visit to the Holy Shree Siddhi Vinayak Temple. Students sought blessings and proceeded for Mumbai Darshan (city tour). It was a great bonding time for us, and saying that we were mesmerized by the various hues of Mumbai would be an understatement!

After a full night’s rest we were back on feet to be blown away by adrenaline rush, yes, this is exactly what happened at ‘Imagica’- Adventure park on outskirts of Mumbai!

First three days flew by, and now was the time for actual learning to begin. On February 24, we proceeded to JNPT(Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust), Mumbai. We were greeted at the gate by Mr. Ravi Gharat, Mumbai Port, who after security check took us inside the premises. We learnt the intricacies of Export-Import, gained first-hand knowledge of the customs procedures and formalities, the details of export/import documentation, the procedures for cargo handling, warehousing, loading and shipment etc. It was great to see all our text book learning come to life in front of us. Students asked plethora of questions and the authorities were kind enough to quench our curiosity. We were taken around the warehouses which stored goods. We were shown the draft and loading and unloading of containers from the huge quay cranes. We spent the whole day and also had lunch in their canteen with the officials.

After an eventful day, students danced their hearts out on the beats of music at the Hotel in Alibaug. The concluding day February 25, accounted for a visit to MCX (Multi commodity Exchange of India) office in Mumbai. 87 percent of commodity trading activity takes place on the MCX, which generates an average daily turnover of Rs 49,018 crore. Mr. Debojyoti Dey from Department of Research, MCX took us through a very detailed presentation and answered our questions.

It was indeed a rich learning experience. It was fascinating to travel between history-present-future of commodity Exchange and the other intricacies pertaining to that.

This concluded our day and with heavy hearts we proceeded for the airport. This was an experience of a lifetime for the students. We are grateful to International Business Program and BIMTECH for organizing this experiential learning trip for us. We will carry the learning from the trip with us for the lifetime.

Shristi Gwari, PGDM-IB, 2019-21 Batch student
(Member of Cosmopolitan Club)