PM Modi releases Commemorative coin on 150th foundation day of IMD
The progress in technology in weather sciences has helped India minimise losses caused by natural disasters, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, January 14, and urged scientists to work towards building warning systems for earthquakes.
Attending a function to celebrate 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in New Delhi, PM Modi released commemorative coins as well as the ‘Vision 2047’ document.
He also launched ‘Mission Mausam’, aimed at developing cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies and systems, besides looking forward to implement high-resolution atmospheric observations and next-generation radars and satellites, PTI reported.
“In these 150 years, IMD has not only served crores of Indians but has also become a symbol of India’s scientific journey,” the Prime Minister said.
Noting that meteorology offers the “most important support for the disaster management capability of any country,” PM Modi stated that we need to maximise the efficiency of meteorology to minimise the impact of natural disasters.
“There is a need to develop warning systems for earthquakes and scientists and researchers should work in this direction,” he said.
PM Modi said that the advancements in science and the ability to harness its full potential serve as the cornerstone to shape the global reputation of a country.
He asserted that ‘Mission Mausam’ has been launched to make India ‘weather-ready and climate-smart’.
Besides its focus on improvement in understanding the weather and climate processes, this mission will also provide air quality data to help strategise weather management and intervention in the long run.
“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,” he said.