Thu Jan 09 15:44:58 UTC 2025: ## India Invites Neighbors to Celebrate 150 Years of Meteorological Department
**New Delhi, India –** In a landmark initiative promoting regional cooperation, India has invited Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other neighboring countries to participate in a seminar commemorating the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This unprecedented event, focusing on the shared history of the Indian subcontinent, aims to set aside political differences and celebrate a common heritage.
Invitations have been extended to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, as well as officials from the Middle East, Central, and Southwest Asia. Pakistan has already confirmed its attendance, while a response from Bangladesh is pending. A top IMD official stated the goal was to include all countries that were part of undivided India when the IMD was established in 1875.
The Indian government is pulling out all the stops to make the event memorable. The Finance Ministry is releasing a limited-edition Rs 150 commemorative coin, while the Home Ministry has approved a special tableau for Republic Day celebrations highlighting the IMD’s 150-year legacy.
The IMD’s history is deeply intertwined with the subcontinent’s development. Established in response to devastating cyclones and famines, the department has evolved from humble beginnings with early observatories in Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, to become a leading weather forecasting agency for Asia. It pioneered the use of technology in weather forecasting, utilizing telegrams, early computers, and collaborating with ISRO to launch India’s first geostationary weather satellite, INSAT. The seminar promises to be a significant event showcasing this rich history and fostering regional collaboration.
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