Celebrating the Future of Weather: The Indian Navy’s Meteorological Seminair
Historical Context and Significance: The Indian Navy’s meteorological symposium, known as Meghayan-25, was a remarkable event that commemorated the founding of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and marked the celebration of WMO Day 2025. Hosted at Nauseda Bhawan in Delhi, this symposium showcased the collective efforts of experts from various meteorological, oceanographic, and other relevant institutions across India. It was a significant event not only for the Indian Navy but also for the broader scientific community.
What Happened on April 14th? The symposium took place on April 14, 2025, during the month of April—a fitting nod to WMO Day, which commemorates the establishment of the WMO in 1930. The event was a celebration of advancements in meteorological and oceanological studies, with hundreds of distinguished experts, high-ranking naval officers, and guest speakers gathered to discuss critical issues in weather forecasting and its impact on maritime safety.
Program Structure: The symposium featured two engaging sessions, each conducted by seasoned subject matter experts. The first session, held on April 13th, focused on marine meteorology and oceanography, while the second session, conducted on April 14th, delved into statistical approaches in weather forecasting. Both sessions were interactive, with Q&A rounds and lively participation from the audience.
The symposium also featured a panel discussion titled “Closing the Early Warning Gap: Enhancing Maritime Security and Coordination”, which was moderated by Dr. VAdm Pradeep Chauhan (Retd), the Director General of the Indian National Met气象ological Centre (NMF). This panel discussion highlighted strategies for improving early warning systems, ensuring better coordination between meteorological agencies.
Guest Speakers: The event was hosted by VADM Tarun Sobti, the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, and other distinguished guest speakers included Dr. Nilesh Desai, Director General of the Space Applications Centre (SAC), and Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These experts provided valuable insights into their respective fields.
The Journal Launch: A highlight of the symposium was the launch of the 10th edition of “Sagarmanthan,” a journal dedicated to meteorological studies. This journal had been under a gap of over ten years, reflecting the time between its first and second editions in 2015 and 2019.
Conclusion: Meghayan-25 was not only a celebration of science and innovation but also a testament to India’s commitment to advancing weather services within the Indian Navy. The event fostered collaboration among experts, driven by the importance of maritime safety and preparedness. It reminded us of the enduring significance of meteorological research in shaping our future.
As WMO Day continues to embrace its legacy, the Indian Navy’s meteorological seminairs remain a beacon of hope for global initiatives aiming to improve weather forecasting systems and maritime security.