NIO Celebrates 61st Foundation Day with Focus on ‘Space Technology for a Healthier Ocean’

Goa Khabar:CSIR–National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR–NIO), Goa, celebrated its 61st Foundation Day, marking the Diamond Jubilee of the institute, at the NIO Auditorium, Dona Paula, Goa, today, 1 January. The event was on the theme “Space Technology for a Healthier Ocean”. An exhibition was also put up at the venue on NIO’s key attractions, including the marine aquarium simulating coral ecosystems, research ship models, oceanographic instruments, and ocean science films for visitors and the public.

Chief Guest Sh. Nilesh Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO, Ahmedabad, delivered the Foundation Day Lecture on “Leveraging Space Technology for Advancing Ocean Research.” He traced ISRO’s evolution, focusing on payload innovations and Earth Observation (EO) applications for operational ocean research needs. He reaffirmed space technology’s role in bridging data gaps, supporting UN Ocean Decade goals—Safe, Clean, Productive, and Predictive Oceans and strengthening Blue Economy and Blue Economy verticals. He also highlighted the impact of Oceansat-3 and the upcoming Oceansat-3A/Oceansat-3A mission, and called for co-designing and co-development of national ocean applications.

Padma Shri Prof. Vinod Singh, Chairman, Research Advisory Board (RAB), CSIR, and Former Director, IISER, Bhopal, delivered the thoughts on “Creativity in Organic Synthesis and Its Implications on Human Wellbeing.” He outlined the central role of organic chemistry—especially Organic Synthesis in pharmaceuticals and drug discovery, stressing its lasting contribution to human health and wellbeing.

Prof. Sunil Kumar Singh, Director, CSIR NIO, welcomed the gathering and highlighted six decades of pioneering ocean research, outlining the institute’s future roadmap in emerging marine science domains.

Emphasizing the importance of integrated scientific collaboration, Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Deputy Director, SAC, ISRO, underscored the growing synergy between space and ocean sciences.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Chief Scientist Sh. Ilangovan, and the programme was anchored by Dr. Judith Gonsalves, Chief Scientist.

Visitors experienced the institute’s key attractions, including the marine aquarium simulating coral ecosystems, research ship models, oceanographic instruments, and ocean science films.