9. OCEAN AWARENESS

This Department takes part in fairs/ exhibitions and sponsors scientific seminars and symposia, workshops and conferences, every year, with a view to create an awareness among the common people and school children on the developments in the ocean science and technology areas and the importance of the ocean and its resources. The Department also celebrated National Science Day and Technology Day.

9.1 Exhibitions and Fairs

9.1.1 “Made in India” show at Johannesburg, South Africa

The “Made in India” shows are organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) regularly indifferent parts of the world to project India’s development and enable increased trade. In the “Made in India” show at Johannesburg from 18-21 July 2001 the Department participated and highlighted appropriately through displays, audio-visuals, etc., the achievements made in various areas of Ocean Science and Technology. It had a good response from the visitors to the Exhibition.

9.1.2 “India Trade Exhibition” at Sau Paulo, Brazil

In order to promote increased trade and industrial participation between India and Brazil the ITPO had organised an “India Trade Exhibition” at Sau Paulo, Brazil from 25-29^th September 2001. It was decided that the four Scientific Departments i.e., Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Department of Ocean Development would put up a joint show for this exhibition. The various S&T developmental activities and progress made in R&D etc., were projected through display panels, models, etc.

9.1.3 India International Maritime Expo 2001 (INMEX 2001) at Mumbai

The Second India International Maritime Expo 2001 was held at Mumbai from 10^th to 13^th October 2001 in which also the Department participated. Achievements under Polar Science, Ocean Observation and Information Services, Ocean Energy and Deep Seabed Mining programmes of the Department were highlighted before the Indian and International Maritime Industry. Information through brochures and booklets on the achievements in the Ocean technology sector were made available to the visitors.

DOD’s Pavilion in the India International Maritime Expo 2001 (INMEX 2001) at Mumbai

9.1.4 India International Trade Fair 2001 ( IITF 2001 ) at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi

The IITF is the most popular trade exhibition organized by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) every year at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 14^th to 27^th November 2001, in which the Department participated. This massive fair has participation from almost all the states and major organizations in the country, besides the International participation. Several exhibits in the form of panels, dioramas, models, trans-lites besides film shows were put up by the Department in the IITF, 2001. A multi-media quiz besides the diorama on Antarctica were among the special attractions of the pavilion. Educative films on Antarctica, the scientific programmes of the Department and ocean technologies developed by National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) were shown at regular intervals. Brochures, books and mementos were distributed to the visitors. In the year 2001 the Department’s pavilion was adjudged second for excellence in display among Central Government pavilions and awarded silver medal.

DOD pavilion at IITF 2001

9.1.5 Swadeshi Vijnana Mela Industrial Fair -2002 at Kochi.

The “Swadeshi Vijnana Mela” was organised at Kochi during 12^th to 19^th January 2002, by Vijnana Bharati, an All India Organization in the field of Science and Technology. The Swadeshi Science Movement (A unit of Vijnana Bharati) stresses on indigenous technology, both traditional and modern. The various activities of the Department were exhibited with considerable focus on Marine Living Resources programme of the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Kochi. A Marine Aquarium that was put up in the stall was a star attraction. The Department’s pavilion was awarded a special prize by the Jury for the excellent exhibits on ocean exploration and resources.

DOD’s stall in the

“Swadeshi

Vigyan Mela” won

a special prize

9.2 Seminar/Symposia/

Conferences/Workshops, etc.

In order to exchange views among scientists, user communities and general public and also to support the scientific and technological activities in the ocean sector, 28 International and National Seminars/Symposia/Workshops/Meetings/Conferences were sponsored on Ocean related topics during 2001 – 2002.

National Science Day

National Science Day was celebrated by the Department, its attached offices and the autonomous societies under the Department of Ocean Development on 28^th February 2002. A large number of school children, college students and public visited the facilities to have a first hand knowledge and information on science and technology development programmes implemented by the Department in ocean sector. Pamphlets and handouts on the activities and accomplishments of the Department and the institutes were freely distributed to the visitors. The visitors to the institute, particularly to ICMAM-PD and NIOT included a group of trainees from Europe, South America and Africa.

School & College Students at the ICMAM Training Centre & Integration Bay of NIOT on the occasion of National Science Day Celebrations