Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Union Minister of State for Science & Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, while commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami at INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services), said India today has emerged as a global leader in "disaster warning" and his catering to other nations as well across the world.

The Minister recalled that the INCOIS was conceptualised following the tragic Tsunami of 2004 and after 2014, with an unflinching support and priority received from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it made rapid strides to be recognised as the world's most state-of-the-art institute of its kind.

Reflecting on the catastrophic tsunami that claimed over 230,000 lives worldwide, including 10,749 in India, Dr Jitendra  Singh remarked on the invaluable lessons learned and the transformative policies that followed.

“The tragedy served as a catalyst for establishing institutions like INCOIS, which now stands as a testament to India’s commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods,” he said.

He cited the recognition of 24 Indian communities under this program as evidence of a community-centric approach.

Dr Jitendra Singh underlined the growing significance of oceanic exploration in India’s journey toward becoming "Viksit Bharat". With a 7,500-km coastline and abundant marine resources, he advocated for their sustainable exploration and conservation.

“Our deep-sea mission and initiatives like BioE3 [Biotechnology for Environment, Employment, and Economy] are creating an ecosystem that will not only enhance biodiversity but also contribute to national prosperity,” he said.

 “We are planning to deploy an Indian in the deep sea and another in space, possibly by 2026, marking a historic milestone,” he announced.

Dr Jitendra Singh also highlighted India’s proactive role in international collaboration through INCOIS, which hosts a UNESCO Category 2 Training Centre. This centre acts as a hub for capacity building and knowledge sharing on ocean-based disaster management.

He noted INCOIS’s active involvement in the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme, which aims to achieve 100% tsunami-ready communities globally by 2030.