Home
India sets up permanent research base near North Pole
Calcutta News.Net
Tuesday 1st July, 2008 (IANS)
Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal Tuesday inaugurated a permanent base near the North Pole to enable scientists to carry out research, especially on climate change.
The research base named 'Himadri' was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and was situated on the west coast of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard archipelago of Norway.
'Himadri will be managed by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences," a ministry statement said.
With the opening of 'Himadri', India has become the 10th country to have established its full-fledged research station in the region. Other countries that have already set up their stations include Norway, Germany, Britain, France, Japan, South Korea and China.
While inaugurating the research base, Sibal expressed happiness that the Indian Arctic Programme that started in August 2007 as a small contingent of five scientists has expanded to become a full fledged research station in less than a year, the statement added.
Among others, Federal Minister of Germany Annette Schavan, Norwegian Minister Tora Aasland and French Senator Christian Gaudin attended the inaugural function held near the North Pole.
 Email this story to a friend
Have your say on this story
|
 |
 |
- Vaiko protests attacks on Tamils in Sri Lanka, courts arrest
Chennai, Oct 10 (IANS) MDMK leader Vaiko Friday courted arrest here Friday, protesting against the central and state governments not doing enough to stop attacks against Tamils in Sri Lanka. [read story]
- India, China complete FTA feasibility study: Minister
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) India and China have completed a feasibility study on their proposed Free Trade Agreement, a pact that will not only benefit them but also a number of other countries in the region, visiting Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng said here Friday. [read story]
- EU finally agrees on new rules for gas, energy markets
Luxembourg, Oct 10 (DPA) European Union (EU) energy ministers Friday agreed to new rules for its gas and electricity markets after a long and heated debate, diplomats said. [read story]
- Communal clashes claim three lives in Madhya Pradesh town
Bhopal, Oct 10 (IANS) At least three people were killed and 21 injured in communal clashes that broke out in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur town Friday, that also saw shops and houses being torched despite curfew being imposed, officials said. [read story]
- Chinese, Indian firms to sign contracts worth millions: Minister
New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Chinese companies will sign trade contracts worth 'millions of dollars' with their Indian counterparts here Saturday, a Chinese minister said Friday in what appears to be the first major step by the leadership in Beijing to close the yawning trade gap between the two countries. [read story]
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
