Communal harmony pledge: In the starting of the programme the CIFRI staff members along with the guests and participants took the communal harmony pledge as our country is celebrating communal harmony week during 19-25th November to spread the message of peace, harmony and national integration and also fund raising to enhance resources of the foundation to carry out its activities. Inaugural programme: World Fisheries Day was inaugurated with the gracious presence of Shri Swami Shivapurnananda, Asstt. Administrative Head, IRDM F/C and Vice Chairman SSKVK, and Chairman RKMVERI (Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute) as the Chief Guest and Prof. Ashis Kumar Panigrahi, Pro-Vice Chancellor, University of Burdwan as the Guest of Honour respectively. Shri Swami Shivapurnanda congratulated and appreciated the contribution of ICAR-CIFRI in the sustainable development of inland fisheries since its inception, he also urged the fishers to cooperate with the researchers of CIFRI to achieve the sustainability in the sector.
Prof. A. K. Panigrahi expressed his gratitude to the fisherman in this auspicious day and advised the farmers to be self-reliant on fish production to boost their economy. During the programme, Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI in his address mentioned that fisheries provide food and livelihood to over 100 millions of world population, so it is our responsibility to be vigilant and more cautious in exploration of the fisheries resources and also urged the fisherman to be more responsible towards the fish exploitation from these resources to achieve sustainable development goals. Simultaneously, a documentary on “Doubling Farmers Income: Sustainable Development Approach” and “Ecosystem Health Cards of 9 Indian Reservoirs” were also released during the occasion. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) awareness: Antimicrobial Awareness Week is a global campaign that is celebrated annually to improve awareness and understanding of AMR and encourage best practices among the public, One Health stakeholders and policymakers, who all play a critical role in reducing the further emergence and spread of AMR. Dr. A.K Sahoo, Sr. Scientist made a presentation on AMR to sensitize the participants. A pledge was also taken along with the fishers, fish farmers, other fishery stakeholders and guests in this regard.
The programme was successfully coordinated by Dr. A. K. Das, Head RWF & I/C. Extension and Training Cell, Dr. Aparna Roy, Senior Scientist and co-coordinated by Ms. T. N. Chanu, Scientist and Mr. Sujit Choudhury, ACTO, ICAR-CIFRI, Barrackpore.