India's pioneering journey into the Earth's most extreme environments reaches a significant landmark this December. The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) is set to celebrate twenty-five years of the nation's ambitious exploration of the polar regions and ocean sciences.
A Stamp for Science and Peace
To commemorate this silver jubilee, NCPOR is joining hands with India Posts to release a unique commemorative postage stamp. The official unveiling is scheduled for December 1, a date recognized worldwide as Antarctic Day. This day honors the signing of the historic Antarctic Treaty in 1959, which established the continent as a zone dedicated solely to peace and scientific discovery.
The ceremonial event will be held at the NCPOR campus located in Headland Sada, Vasco. Dignitaries confirmed to grace the occasion include Goa governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Maharashtra circle chief postmaster general Amitabh Singh.
India's Legacy in the Polar Wilderness
Since its establishment on April 5, 2000, NCPOR has served as the country's central hub for polar science. Over the past quarter-century, it has masterfully coordinated India's scientific endeavours across the planet's most remote and ecologically sensitive areas.
The centre's impressive track record includes overseeing 44 Antarctic expeditions, 14 Arctic missions, and 12 voyages to the Southern Ocean. This formidable presence is supported by a network of permanent research stations that serve as India's outposts in the frozen frontiers.
These stations are:
- Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri, and Bharati in Antarctica
- Himadri in the Arctic
- The high-altitude station Himansh in the Himalayas
Expanding Role in a Warming World
The commemorative stamp is more than just a philatelic item; it is a symbol of NCPOR's growing influence. According to the institute, the stamp acknowledges its expanding work in climate research and cryospheric studies, as well as India's vital contributions to global polar governance.
The institute expressed its hope that this special issue will serve a dual purpose. It stands as a tribute to the generations of dedicated scientists who built India's polar programme from the ground up. Simultaneously, it acts as a powerful reminder of the increasing importance of understanding the polar regions in the context of our rapidly warming world.
