This is the second edition of our redesigned magazine. Now, redesigning a magazine is a daunting enough task, well, as nothing short of formidable. Trust you as our readers, advertisers, and well-wishers find the new look comfortable. Your valuable feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

   The Government of India recently announced a major project called the Sagar Mala. It calls for the modernizing and upgrading 200-odd ports, starting with 12 major ones operated by the centre, 12 smart cities, coastal economic zones, new railway connectivity and a new legislation to nationalize 101 internal waterways for cheap transportation and granting infrastructure status to ship-building in Kochi and Kandla. The Sagar Mala project announced by the Government of India is touted not just to rival China’s port-land infrastructure, but should be comparable to any of the first world facilities.

   If the project goes according to plan, India will be witness to a holistic development of ports for the first time. So far, the centre and the states have been pursuing port development haphazardly in their own separate ways.

   We have taken this as the main story as all this infrastructure creation opens up a wide range of opportunities for the coatings and anti-corrosion industry. Besides this, there are our regular gamut of technical features, interviews, company profiles and all our regular columns.

   As the festive season draws near, let me take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year ahead.

Jolly Lonappan,

Editor-in-Chief