ICAR-CIFT Celebrates 62nd Foundation Day

Inauguration of 62nd CIFT Director CIFT addressing the audience

ICAR-CIFT, Cochincommemorated its 62^nd Foundation Day at its main campus in Willingdon Island, Kochion 29^th April, 2019. The function was graced by Dr. B Meenakumari,former Chairperson of National Biodiversity Board, Chennai and former Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR and also the former Director, ICAR-CIFT as the Chief Guest. At the outset, Dr. C N Ravishankar, Director, ICAR-CIFT; while presiding over the function highlighted the prominentcontributions of the institute during the last year (2018-19),  which includes the release of path breaking rapid test kit aptly named as ‘CIFTest Kit’ for detecting fish contamination by spurious chemicals like formaldehyde and ammonia in the fish market and its national level tremendous impactin controlling the adulteration in fish preservation, CIFT’s recognition by FSSAI as a National Reference Laboratory for fish and fish products as an additional feather to its status, collaborating with Cochin ShipyardLimited (CSL) for designing deep sea fishing vessels being built at Cochin Shipyard at Kochi for various coastal states and Lakshadweep, global accreditation as a major research partnershipwith FAO on anti-microbial resistance (AMR) mitigation linking more than 20 institutions across the country, active participation in formulation of KMFRA guidelines for the state of Kerala, major role in preparation ofnational blue economy policy document and in addition also playing an active role in the recent flood relief measures during the massive flood havoc in Keraladuring 2018 and conducting a post flood damage assessment in the fisheries sectoras an aftermathof the flood.

The Chief Guest Dr. B. Meenakumari applauded the accomplishments of the institute during it sixty-two years of fruitful existence during which the institute has catered the requirement of harvest and post-harvest sectors in fisheries immensely, that has been affirmed by the growth in fishery exports and trade. As part of the function, continuing its long tradition of honouring Institute’s retired staff on the foundation day, ICAR-CIFT honouredrepresentatives of the different categories of the retired staff of the Institute, namely Dr. T K Shivadas (Scientific), Dr. Sicily (Technical), Shri.Raveendran Nair (Administrative) and Shri CA Krishnan (Skilled Support) on this occasion. Dr. Suseela Mathew, HOD, Biochemistry and Nutrition Division welcomed the gathering and Shri KSSreekumaran, Finance and Accounts Officer, CIFT proposed the vote of thanks. The function ended with a variety of entertainment programme performed by the staff and their wards.

Director,ICAR-CIFT addressing the audience

Chief Guest DrMeenakumari delivering inaugural address

Felicitation of retired staff

Cultural performance by CIFT staff