Felicitations at Tamil Nadu House
A key highlight of the celebrations was a special felicitation ceremony held on the evening of January 27 at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi. Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary to the Ministry of Earth Sciences, personally honoured the visiting scientists and researchers for their dedication and achievements under the Deep Ocean Mission.
The ceremony served as a platform to acknowledge the pivotal role played by these experts in advancing deep-sea exploration, marine biodiversity studies, and the development of indigenous deep-ocean technologies. Dr Ravichandran commended the scientific community for strengthening India’s position among leading nations in ocean sciences.
Celebrating Scientific Excellence and Collaboration
Following the felicitation programme, Dr Ravichandran hosted a formal dinner for the scientists, creating an informal yet meaningful setting for interaction and exchange of ideas. The gathering reflected the ministry’s emphasis on fostering collaboration, mutual respect, and long-term engagement with the scientific community.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Earth Sciences were also present, reinforcing the institutional support extended to researchers working on complex and high-impact ocean missions.
Jan Bhagidari at the Heart of National Celebrations
The invitation extended to Deep Ocean Mission scientists as Special Guests at the Republic Day celebrations aligns with the Government of India’s “Jan Bhagidari” vision. The initiative seeks to bring frontline contributors from diverse sectors, including science and technology, closer to national milestones and public recognition.
By placing researchers at the centre of Republic Day celebrations, the government highlighted the critical role of scientific innovation in nation-building and sustainable development.
Republic Day Parade and Cultural Outreach
As part of the special programme curated for the visiting scientists, they were accorded a place of honour at the Republic Day Parade held at Kartavya Path on January 26. The experience offered them a close view of India’s military strength, cultural diversity, and constitutional values showcased during the national celebration.
The itinerary also included cultural and historic visits, notably a tour of the historic city of Agra. The visit provided the scientists with an opportunity to engage with India’s rich heritage alongside their participation in official events.
Ministerial Interaction and Leadership Engagement
On Republic Day, the scientists attended a celebratory lunch hosted by Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh. The interaction enabled direct engagement between policymakers and researchers, allowing scientists to share insights from the field and discuss future directions of the Deep Ocean Mission.
Such interactions are seen as crucial for aligning scientific research with national priorities and ensuring continued policy support for long-term ocean exploration initiatives.
Deep Ocean Mission: A Strategic National Initiative
The Deep Ocean Mission is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at exploring the deep ocean for living and non-living resources while ensuring sustainable and environmentally responsible utilisation. The mission also focuses on developing indigenous technologies for deep-sea mining, underwater vehicles, and ocean climate research.
Implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the mission is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening India’s blue economy, enhancing climate resilience, and expanding scientific understanding of the deep-sea ecosystem.
