At the invitation of IMD, Pakistan responds, Bangladesh remains silent

At the invitation of IMD, Pakistan responds, Bangladesh remains silent
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) extended invitations to neighboring countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, for its 150th anniversary celebrations.

Pakistan has already accepted the invitation and confirmed the attendance of its representatives. However, Bangladesh has yet to announce its decision.

IMD’s 150 Years
IMD was established on January 15, 1875. However, a weather observation center had been set up in Kolkata as early as 1785. Another was established in Madras in 1796, and in Bombay in 1826.

In 1864, a devastating cyclone severely damaged parts of Kolkata. Subsequent famines in 1866 and 1871 prompted the decision to form IMD, headquartered initially in Kolkata. It moved to Shimla in 1905 and later to Delhi in 1944.

IMD leads in weather forecasting across Asia.

For its 150th-anniversary celebrations, IMD invited representatives from meteorological departments of countries that were part of undivided India, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. Additionally, invitations were extended to several countries in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

Pakistan is Attending
Pakistan has accepted the invitation and will send delegates to Delhi. However, no response has been received from Bangladesh. It remains unclear whether Bangladesh will accept or decline. Organizers are awaiting a response.

A senior IMD official told PTI, "We want officials from all invited countries to attend. We aim to celebrate together."

When is the Event?
The event will take place soon—on January 14 and 15 at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, Delhi. Climate change will be a key topic of discussion. IMD emphasized that raising awareness about climate change has been a priority for every event related to the 150th anniversary.

The Finance Ministry will issue a limited edition ₹150 coin to mark the occasion. The Home Ministry has decided to feature a meteorological department tableau in the January 26 parade.

On January 12, IMD will host a "Run for Nation" to promote weather awareness.

What IMD Says
IMD’s Director General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, stated, "The main event at Bharat Mandapam on January 15 will highlight IMD's 150-year journey. Discussions will explore how IMD has advanced in this century with science and technology. We will showcase IMD's scientific progress."

The DG added, "Twenty-five years ago, we could predict cyclones one day in advance. Now, we can provide warnings five to seven days ahead. By 2047, we aim to predict them two weeks in advance."