Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister for Earth Sciences and Science and Technology appealed to develop symbiotic relations between Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, India Meteorological Department (IMD), private sectors and stake holders to disseminate information to all for welfare of people. Speaking as a Chief Guest at the135th Foundation Day celebrations of India Meteorological Department here today, Shri Sibal said if we can not power people with technology, it is useless. He said the need of the 21st century is unique and total restructuring of IMD is required. The Minister said, “We have one of the oldest Meteorological observatories of the world. We have pioneering data of 135 years, which we can process with installing best instruments and high quality human resources. We need to develop globally competitive observatory system, realize high level of scientific capabilities, approach commercial areas, motivate staff members and give incentives for better performance and set up National Meteorological Policy.”
Director General, IMD, Dr Ajit Tyagi said that from a modest beginning to serve 3 sectors in 1875, IMD is serving more than 30 sectors today. The year 2010 has been a landmark in the history of IMD. High power commuting system is in place which integrates various data and numerical data. The forecasting system of Nowcast proved very useful during Common Wealth Games and this will continue to provide services to metro cities and NCR. Dr Tyagi informed that second phase of modernization of IMD will be over by 2014 and India will be at par with other systems in the world.
Dr Shailesh Nayak, Secretary in the Ministry of Earth Sciences said the agromet service provided by IMD through all possible communication services have created great impact on our GDP. At present we are reaching 24% farmers in the country. A study shows that this has added Rs 50,000crores to our growth. If we reach all the farmers and workforce in the village areas, the growth in the GDP will be enormous’ Dr Nayak added.
On this occasion an exhibition and a cultural programme were organized. A book entitled ‘Monsoon Monograph’ and a CD of the same were released by the Minister.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD Foundation Day is celebrated to commemorate taking over of H.F. Blanford as Imperial Meteorological Reporter on January 15, 1875. It is being celebrated with a view to promote awareness about advancements and new initiatives taken by the Department for improving its capabilities and services and to recognize officers and employees who have done excellent work. The Government of India set up Meteorological Department on All-India basis on this day. The IMD was established at Kolkata and later it was shifted to New Delhi. This was one of the oldest Meteorological observatories of the world from 1785. The second one was at Chennai from 1796 to study the weather and climate of India. Today Pune, Varanasi, Bangalore and Hyderabad also have IMD.
