Thu Jan 09 15:47:55 UTC 2025: ## India Hosts ‘Undivided India’ Seminar to Mark 150 Years of Meteorological Department
**New Delhi, [Date]** – India is hosting a landmark seminar celebrating 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), extending an olive branch to neighboring countries by inviting them to participate in a commemoration of their shared history under British rule. Pakistan has confirmed its attendance, marking a significant step toward regional cooperation. A response from Bangladesh is pending.
The seminar, a first of its kind, aims to transcend political differences and focus on the common heritage of the Indian subcontinent. Invitations have been sent to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, as well as officials from the Middle East, Central, and Southwest Asia.
The IMD, established in 1875 following devastating cyclones and famines, has a rich history of technological advancements in weather forecasting. Initially headquartered in Calcutta, it moved to Shimla, Pune, and finally New Delhi. From its humble beginnings using telegrams, the IMD has pioneered weather communication, utilizing early computers for global data exchange and collaborating with ISRO on satellite technology, launching India’s own geostationary weather satellite.
The Indian government is pulling out all the stops to mark the occasion. The Finance Ministry is releasing a commemorative Rs 150 coin, while the Home Ministry approved a special Republic Day tableau highlighting the IMD’s legacy. The event promises to be a significant moment in regional diplomacy and a testament to the IMD’s vital role in weather prediction and scientific advancement across the subcontinent.
First Piper 