New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled ‘Mission Mausam’ on the 150th Foundation Day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday in a push to make India a climate-smart nation and underscored his commitment towards a sustainable future and climate readiness.
Addressing the event, Modi said, “The progress of scientific institutions of any country shows its awareness towards science. Research and innovation in scientific institutions is a part of the temperament of the new India. In the last 10 years, there has been an unprecedented expansion of the infrastructure and technology of IMD.”
Calling 150 years of the top weather agency a “glorious journey of modern science and technology of India”, PM Modi said India’s disaster management capabilities have significantly improved due to advancements in meteorological technology which has proved to be beneficial not only for the country but also for the global community.
“In these 150 years, the IMD has not only served crores of Indians, but has also become a symbol of India’s scientific journey,” he said. The Prime Minister also announced a new postage stamp and a special commemorative coin to mark these achievements.
What Is Mission Mausam?
Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Mission Mausam” is an initiative to develop cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and systems, implementing high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and satellites, and high-performance computers to boost India’s climate readiness.
The initiative will also focus on improving the understanding of weather and climate processes, provide air quality data that will help strategise weather management and intervention in the long run.
“Meteorology offers the most important support for the disaster management capability of any country. To minimise the impact of natural disasters, we need to maximise the efficiency of meteorology,” PM Modi said. “There is a need to develop warning systems for earthquakes and scientists and researchers should work in this direction.”
The Prime Minister also urged scientists to work towards developing warning systems for earthquakes, underscoring that advancements in science and the ability to harness its potential are the cornerstone of a country’s global reputation.
PM Modi also released the IMD’s Vision-2047 document for weather resilience and climate change adaptation on the occasion, and also highlighted India’s role as the first responder to any country in the neighbourhood hit by any disaster.
The event were attended by Celeste Saulo, the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Department, Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh, Earth Sciences Secretary M Ravichandran, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra and a host of dignitaries.
