Last month, The Hood collaborated with Naughtica 2026, India’s largest inter-college maritime festival, bringing together over 700 students from 24 colleges across India and highlighting the next generation of talent in one of the world’s leading seafarer hubs.

The event featured 14 competitions over the weekend. As the Community Partner, The Hood provided prizes for the winning contestants and engaged with participants to recognise their achievements.

“It was wonderful to see so much talent among the cadets,” said Josephine Le, Managing Director and Founder of The Hood. “I was especially delighted to see over 120 young women taking part, and I really hope we continue to see that number grow.”

Now in its sixth year, Naughtica combines technical challenges, creative performances, sports events, and networking opportunities, giving students the chance to test their skills with friends and connect with peers across India.

Students took part in a wide range of competitions, from a Personality Contest for emerging leaders to TechSkills and NautiSkills challenges that tested their seamanship and problem-solving abilities.

The festival also featured a Battle of the Acoustic Bands, allowing participants the opportunity to showcase both their creativity and teamwork.

“Cadets already face enough challenges when trying to break into the industry, and this is why events like Naughtica are so important because they help give them the best possible start,” added Ms Le.

Through collaborations such as this, The Hood continues to support cadets worldwide, helping build a community where they can connect, learn, and grow.

“After seeing Naughtica, we hope to see events like this take place on a much more global scale, uniting cadets from all over the world,” conclude Le.