Excelsior Correspondent
Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Jan 17: Andaman & Nicobar Islands will be developed as the hub of India’s Blue Economy.
This was stated here today by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, while on a visit to the Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTI) to launch and review key marine technology initiatives aimed at strengthening the Blue Economy and livelihoods in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Addressing scientists, officials and stakeholders on the occasion, the Minister said India’s future economic value addition will increasingly come from untapped marine resources as the country moves rapidly towards becoming one of the world’s top economies. He highlighted that Government’s strong focus on the Blue Economy reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision that India cannot develop in isolation by focusing only on the mainland while leaving behind island territories and coastal regions.
The event was held at Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, a unit of National Institute of Ocean Technology, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, at Dollygunj, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair). The programme was attended by Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, senior officials of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration, scientists from NIOT and other research institutions, and representatives from local departments and Self-Help Groups.
Praising the consistent and energetic representation of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands in Parliament, the Minister said that sustained advocacy has ensured that national attention and resources are directed towards island development. He recalled that since 2014, the Prime Minister has given the highest priority to the North Eastern region and island territories, a shift that is now clearly visible in the scale of scientific, administrative, and ministerial engagement in the region.
Referring to the Deep Ocean Mission, Dr. Jitendra Singh said it was a matter of pride that the Prime Minister announced the mission not once but twice from the ramparts of the Red Fort, underscoring India’s commitment to the Blue Economy. He highlighted that marine resources, long under-explored, will play a decisive role in sustaining India’s growth trajectory as conventional resources get exhausted. The Blue Economy, he said, will significantly contribute to employment generation, exports, environmental sustainability, and overall economic resilience.
Dr. Jitendra expressed appreciation for the enthusiasm and dedication of scientists and local stakeholders, and said that with institutional collaboration, including potential involvement of CSIR and biotechnology research centres, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can emerge as a major hub of India’s Blue Economy initiatives
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