Blue Economy
Blue Economy
Blue Economy
SKILLING FOR
ENHANCED
BLUE ECONOMY
BLUE
ECONOMY
Index
Introduction
a. Introduction to Blue Economy 4
05. MRC’s Proposal for Establishing a Sector Skill Council on Blue Economy 14
Enclosures:
a. Enclosure 1: Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Framework 16
b. Enclosure 2: Key Stakeholders of the UDA Framework 17
08. Authors 24
3
1. Introduction to Blue Economy:
The term "Blue Economy" refers to a sustainable ocean economy achieved by balancing economic activities
with the health and resilience of ocean ecosystems. It involves responsible use of ocean resources and
innovations to generate inclusive economic and societal advantages while preserving natural ecosystems.
4
Global Response: Initiatives Driving the Blue Economy Worldwide:
Various national and global initiatives are being undertaken to control the Blue Economy. Countries like
Australia, Brazil, U.K., U.S., Russia and Norway have developed dedicated national ocean policies with
measurable outcomes and budgetary provisions. Countries like Canada and Australia have enacted
legislation and established hierarchal institutions at federal and state levels to ensure progress and monitoring
of Blue Economy targets.
Recent sustainable development initiatives in the maritime domain have propelled India's maritime interests
and Blue Economy. Even amidst the post-COVID-19 global landscape, India is experiencing noteworthy
growth in the marine sector by efficiently and sustainably tapping ocean resources. India's objective remains
twofold: harness ocean resources effectively while fostering ocean-related capabilities, employment and value
addition. All this must be achieved in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and environmental
preservation.
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9 Coastal States
1,382 Islands
12 Major Ports
180 Non-major Ports
In 1981, India established the Department of Ocean Development, now the Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES).
Notable programs like the "Deep Ocean Mission," "Oceanography from Space," and “Launching of
the data buoys” have been launched along the Indian coastline.
These initiatives employ satellites to gather oceanographic data, including weather information, for
scientific analysis.
MoES has joined the United Nations' "Clean Seas Programme," aiming to reduce marine litter/plastic
and aligning with SDG-14.
MoES signed contracts with the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) for deep ocean exploration
of minerals like Ploymetallic Nodules and Hydrothermal Sulphide in the Indian Ocean.
India is developing a sustainable policy for both upstream and downstream activities to capitalize on
sector growth.
The Government of India's 2030 vision highlights the Blue Economy as one of the ten core
dimensions of growth, emphasizing policy integration for coastal community improvement and
development.
In his 74th Independence Day Speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the importance of
harmonious relations in a neighbor, beyond just physical borders.
Experts propose the Seychelles-Singapore-Samoa (SSS) axis as a strategic Blue Economy policy
foundation.
A transparent policy framework is being formulated to elevate India's GDP through sustainable
economic growth in the Blue Economy, aligning with national security and international
commitments.
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2. Exploring Employment Opportunities in the Blue Economy Sector:
The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) data reveals that more than 60 million people globally
are employed in fishing and aquaculture, predominantly in developing countries of Asia and Africa.
The combined sectors of fishing, aquaculture, seaside and marine tourism provide employment for over
350 million individuals.
The European Union's 2020 report states that the Blue Economy, encompassing ocean-related economic
activities, employs over 4 million people directly within the EU and contributes 1.3% to the EU's GDP.
Worldwide, the Blue Economy sustains livelihoods for over 820 million individuals.
The blue growth strategy focuses on five key sectors within the Blue Economy: coastal tourism,
aquaculture, blue energy, blue biotechnology and seabed mining. These sectors exhibit significant
potential for job creation and innovation.
Coastal tourism stands out as the largest sector in terms of both employment and value added, although
it poses environmental and community challenges.
Blue
Economy Employment to over 4 million
people in Europe & accounts
for 1.3 % of Europe’s GDP
7
Identifying Gaps and Filling Them: Addressing the Challenges in the Blue Economy:
Countries, including India, are facing challenges in aquaculture and blue biotechnology due to
administrative complexities, opaque licensing processes, difficulties in accessing space and water, and
meeting high-quality health and environmental standards.
The pursuit of blue growth necessitates a workforce of qualified professionals. However, sectors are
grappling with hiring issues due to the need for generational renewal in some areas (like fisheries) and the
emergence of highly innovative technologies, leading to a greater demand for specialized workers in fields
such as aquaculture, shipbuilding and marine biotechnology.
Despite the significant potential of Blue Economy job expansion for India and other countries, the threat
of climate change looms.
More frequent and severe storms causing coastal erosion have the potential to devastate fisheries, coastal
flora and tourist-frequented beaches. The warming and acidification of oceans also imperil species crucial
for sustenance and livelihoods in communities.
Aquaculture
MOST
Critical
Sectors
Blue
Biotechnology
8
Skilling Gaps in Mega Projects Initiated by the Indian Government:
Within this section, we have outlined key initiatives launched by the Government of India under diverse
overarching schemes, alongside identifying skill gaps inherent to each project within the Blue Economy
sector.
Sagar-Mala Project:
Proficiencies encompass efficient port management and
operation, involving cargo handling, logistics coordination,
port security, vessel operations and maintenance.
Expertise in supply chain management, warehousing and
transportation strategies is vital.
Skillset demands encompass shipbuilding, repair, marine
engineering, maintenance of marine equipment and marine
fabrication.
Mastery in marine safety, executing search and rescue
operations, navigation competence, firefighting skills and
disaster management expertise are crucial.
9
Project Mausam:
Aptitude in historical research, archival study and precise
documentation methods.
Knowledge of preservation techniques, museum curation
practices, comprehension of heritage policies and adeptness in
community engagement, all contributing to the protection and
promotion of cultural heritage.
Proficiency in underwater archaeology, encompassing the skills
required for submerged archaeological exploration.
Mastery of GIS software and the ability to conduct spatial
analysis, enabling data visualization and the identification of
patterns and correlations.
Make in India:
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Digital India:
Dr. (Cdr) Arnab Das, the Director and Founder of the Maritime Research Centre (MRC), presented five key
points derived from the concept of UDA during a workshop titled 'Blue Economy in the Bay of Bengal,'
hosted by The Bridge Tank in 2022. These five points are as follows:
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4. Requirement of UDA Framework for an Enhanced Blue Economy:
Why is establishing a Sector Skill Council based on the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Framework
essential for enhancing the Blue Economy?
With global attention shifting towards maritime domains and oceans for economic growth and climate
stability, the maritime commons are becoming the preferred trade routes, responsible for nearly 90% of
global trade. Efficient and sustainable transportation becomes a priority, while undersea resources present
significant economic and strategic prospects. These resources include both living and non-living elements,
bearing substantial economic and strategic importance. Addressing global challenges like food and energy
security can be accomplished by emphasizing ocean resources. Abundant rare earth elements lie beneath the
sea, carrying significant strategic potential. However, access and control over these resources often lead to
conflicts among global powers, necessitating increased maritime security. Nations are increasingly
maintaining naval presence in maritime commons, mirroring similar stakes in freshwater systems.
To institute effective governance, situational awareness is paramount. The Underwater Domain Awareness
(UDA) becomes a prerequisite for expanding understanding and application across various fields. UDA's
four key stakeholders are maritime security, the blue economy, environment and disaster management and
science and technology. Utilizing acoustic surveys via sonar becomes the primary method for generating
comprehensive UDA. However, the unique characteristics of tropical waters in the Indo-Pacific region pose
challenges, rendering conventional imported technology insignificant. Indigenous efforts are necessary to
bolster acoustic capacity in these waters. Furthermore, sharing underwater data should be done judiciously to
prevent unauthorized access.
Geopolitical dynamics have shifted towards the tropical littoral waters of the Indo-Pacific region. Off shore
powers maintain strategic presence by deploying military and research assets for UDA. The Indian Ocean
Region (IOR) is particularly vulnerable due to its socio-political and socio-economic landscape, including
security concerns like maritime terrorism and piracy. Regional maritime frameworks often lack coherence
with long-term national interests. The Government of India (GoI) has displayed a proactive stance towards
maritime opportunities, exemplified by the Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision of
the Indian Prime Minister in 2015. A number of megaprojects have been announced by the GoI to support
the SAGAR vision. It is important to note that these missions are independent efforts of the Indian
government. Sagarmala, Bharatmala, Gati Shakti, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Start-up India, Skill India, Digital
India and many others are some of the initiatives which support the SAGAR vision. However, these
endeavors need skilled manpower on a larger scale.
Furthermore, a historic agreement was reached to protect the world's oceans, placing 30% of seas into
protected areas by 2030 under the UN's High Seas Treaty. In addition, deep sea mining, which is the practice
of obtaining minerals from the ocean floor, is one of the potential effects that the treaty seeks to guard
against. Environmental organizations are concerned about the potential consequences of mining, including
the disruption of sediments, noise pollution and the harm to spawning sites. After 38 hours of discussions, the
agreement was reached on March 4, 2023, in the evening, at UN headquarters in New York. Years of
negotiations have been stalled due to divergent views on funding and fishing rights. According to
environmental organizations, it will support sustainable development and help stop the loss of biodiversity.
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On February 11,2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pledged support for a binding international treaty
under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea for the conservation of marine biological diversity beyond
national jurisdictions. At the One Ocean Summit, a coalition on BBNJ was formally created with the support
of world leaders such UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, among others. PM Modi stressed New Delhi's commitment to
ending the use of single-use plastic during the international conference and invited France to start a global
initiative for the cause. In addition, PM Modi discussed India's dedication to protecting marine resources,
using the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) as an illustration.
It is worth noting that Government of India has set up a Steering Committee on Blue Economy under PM-
EAC and it has produced a national policy framework on Blue Economy, based on which the Ministry of
Earth Sciences is now preparing a formal policy on Blue Economy.
The Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Framework proposed by the Maritime Research Center (MRC)
complements the SAGAR vision, fostering collaboration and resource sharing among stakeholders. This
framework holds the potential to manage challenges and opportunities in tropical littoral waters amidst
current geopolitical realities. Enclosure-1 provides more details on the MRC's UDA framework proposal.
5. MRC's Proposal for Establishing a Sector Skill Council on UDA Framework to Enhance
the Blue Economy Sector:
The proposition entails the formation of a sector skill council based on the UDA framework, with a focus on
addressing the following concerns:
(a) Identification of Skilling Requirements: The council will determine the skilling necessities essential for
propelling the UDA framework, ensuring the realization of the SAGAR vision. Challenges and opportunities
essential to marine and freshwater systems require forward-looking skills, fortified by scientific
advancements. This comprehensive strategy will unify stakeholders. MRC identifies three pivotal domains:
Acoustic Survey, Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Robotics and Bio-technology & Bio-Sciences, collectively
catering to the UDA framework.
(b) Integration of Multidisciplinary Research: Effective skilling necessitates linking multi-disciplinary research
with traditional practices and local specificities. Establishing a Centre of Excellence (CoE) will tackle
emerging challenges and opportunities while maintaining deep-rooted connections to ground realities.
(c) Emphasis on Innovation: Vital to the broad-scale implementation of any concept is innovation.
Recognizing India's vastness and SAGAR's diversity, innovation becomes the primary driver. An incubation
center, bridging start-ups with new ideas, will catalyze growth. Encouraging entrepreneurship among the
youth is prioritized over job-seeking.
(d) Upgrading Academia: Aligning academic courses with evolving global dynamics and contemporary
knowledge and skills is paramount. Coordinating with universities to manage this transition is a role the
sector skill council will assume. The New Education Policy (NEP) provisions support this transition,
necessitating a well-structured approach.
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(e) Comprehensive Policy Bridging: Addressing policy gaps holistically requires a closed-loop mechanism that
incorporates stakeholders, policymakers and supporting entities like universities. The sector skill council
should unite industries, youth and the start-up ecosystem to bridge policy gaps, thereby reconciling skilling
deficiencies and disconnects in career opportunities.
(f) Optimized Training Centers: Streamlining and enhancing the quality of individual training centers
maintained by stakeholders and other entities are crucial. The sector skill council's role is to consolidate these
efforts, establishing regional centers tailored to stakeholders' specific needs while guiding future strategies.
Identification of Skilling
Requirements:
Integration of
Multidisciplinary Research
Emphasis on Innovation
Upgrading Academia
Comprehensive Policy
Bridging
Optimized Training
Centers
To fully realize the SAGAR vision, a substantial National Capacity & Capability Building initiative is
imperative. MRC has submitted a comprehensive report to NITI Aayog, which serves as the foundation for
formulating the national policy.
The proposed course of action for establishing the Sector Skill Council on the UDA framework not only
aims to address India's skilling needs but also serves as a diplomatic tool to engage neighboring countries in
the IOR and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
(a) Awareness Building: Primarily, sensitizing stakeholders and decision-makers across the spectrum about the
importance and potential of the sector skill council is crucial. This will involve conducting seminars,
workshops and round-table interactions. A structured plan for these engagements will be developed, with
MRC making detailed presentations to convey the initiative's significance. The Ministry of Skilling &
Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with NITI Aayog and relevant line ministries, will drive this proposal.
The awareness campaign will be initiated immediately.
(b) Involvement: Engagement must span various levels and entities. Initially, the Government might award
fellowships to students and young professionals to bolster the initiative's manpower for sustained growth.
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These fellows will be instrumental from the outset, facilitating accelerated expansion. Following initial
outreach, stakeholders and policymakers will be encouraged to sign MoUs with the core driving entity,
establishing the sector skill council. These MoUs will tailor to specific requirements and ensure the initiative's
longevity. They will enable structured interactions and resource allocation, fostering expertise. Engagement
will commence within six months of the awareness phase.
(c) Sustainability: The engagement phase's conclusion will witness the establishment of the Sector Skill
Council. This stage will formalize the foundational framework and craft a strategic vision document.
Approval of projects and action plans will ensure a steady influx of resources and manpower. The
sustainability phase will guarantee policy structuring, infrastructure development and consistent financial
and human resource inflows, thereby ensuring the initiative's enduring continuity. Policy adaptations and
seamless interplay among entities will manifest by the sustainability phase's conclusion.
The above figure presents a comprehensive path for stakeholder engagement and interaction. Individual
cubes signify specific aspects warranting attention.
By configuring a User-Academia-Industry partnership that aligns with user needs, academic input and
industry involvement, a targeted and well-defined interactive framework emerges. This approach can
empower the UDA framework to tackle numerous contemporary national challenges. An essential element is
engaging Young India in Nation Building, offering a critical avenue for attention. Collaboration among
multi-disciplinary and multifunctional entities facilitates streamlined coordination towards overarching
objectives.
The UDA Framework, as jointly formulated by the Maritime Research Centre (MRC) and M/S NirDhwani
Technology Pvt Ltd (NDT), encompasses Policy, Technology & Innovation and Human Resource
Development. Further details are accessible on the MRC website at https://mrc.foundationforuda.in.
(g) Shipping Industry has excessive use of acoustic surveys for almost every activity at sea.
(h) Undersea Mining has become very critical and acoustic survey is the first step.
(i) Hydrographic Surveys are critical for multiple applications in the maritime domain and the freshwater
systems.
(j) Acoustic Habitat Degradation could become the next big blue economic concern and needs effective
monitoring and mitigation.
The government today has announced multiple initiatives to support the SAGAR vision, including
Sagarmala, Bharatmala, Inland Water Transport, and more. These are all mega projects with massive fund
allocation. Adequately skilled human resources will be the key.
(a) Oil & Gas Industries and the supporting agencies will have a huge requirement for such trained people
(b) Undersea survey companies for mining and undersea mapping
(c) Governmental regulators in the maritime sector
(d) NGOs involved in marine environmental monitoring
(e) Consultants involved in Environmental Impact Assessment
(f) Irrigation departments across states and the supporting agencies
(g) Flood control department and supporting agencies
(h) Shipping industry and port authorities
(i) Scientific organizations and R&D groups
(j) Policymakers, think tanks, and more
(k) Maritime security agencies
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Job Description:
The domain is huge with substantial hierarchical opportunities. The entire program has been divided into five
levels:
(a) Technicians
(b) Deployment Crew
(c) Data Logger and Sample Handler
(d) Data Analyst and Sample Interpretation
(e) Research Staff and Policy Formulation
October 2017: Workshop on Modeling and Simulation (M&S) at Khadakwasla Lake for freshwater
management exercise.
Comprehensive approach showcasing policy, technical intervention and acoustic capacity development.
Participants: Ph.D. research scholars, postgraduates, undergraduates, and young professionals from
diverse stakeholders and research organizations.
Three-year study on Khadakwasla Lake involving underwater parameter mapping and model creation by
a Ph.D. scholar.
Field experiments validating work with four sonar types deployed (Side Scan Sonar, Single Beam Sonar,
Sub-Bottom Profiler and CTD Probe).
Opportunity for participants to deploy sonars, grasp operating mechanisms and perform data collection
and analysis.
Workshop funded by Bajaj Group's CSR activities, Maharashtra Government's research fund and
support from National Defence Academy and supplies and deployment of sonar almost free of cost by
The Unique Group.
All aspects of the workshop organised and carried out by MRC and NDT.
Attended by 25+ researchers from multiple academic and research institutes.
Part of field experimental validation for Ph.D. scholar's research and contributions from PG students and
interns at MRC over two years.
Data used by multiple scholars, students and interns for research purposes at MRC, setting a benchmark
in academic research.
Valuable insights from the experiment contributing to MRC's freshwater management research and
policy efforts.
Inputs serve to advance research for Digital Transformation and improved governance.
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UDA Summer School:
Annual UDA Summer School organized by MRC and NDT since 2017.
Six-week residential program focusing on building acoustic capacity and capability.
Diverse participants from various disciplines and backgrounds including college students, faculty, Ph.D.
aspirants, young professionals, stakeholders, policymakers, and defense professionals.
Individual projects assigned based on participants' discipline, location, and job role.
Event consists of two phases:
(i) First half in Mumbai or Pune with skill development and knowledge exchange in an academic setup
with industry experts.
(ii) Second half in Goa involving research institutes, industry members, and stakeholders like Navy or
Coast Guard.
UDA Summer School, spanning 2017 to 2019, trained 100+ participants from different stakeholders and
regions.
Over 30 resource persons from diverse fields and organizations shared expertise with participants.
Participants and resource persons act as brand ambassadors, spreading appreciation for the UDA
framework within their networks.
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Enclosure 4: MRC's Milestones in UDA Journey:
Policy Intervention:
Collaboration with the IMO: Presented innovative digital tool for monitoring underwater noise to IMO's
MEPC-76 in 2021. IMO designated India as IOR lead for underwater noise management, allocating $2
million.
Collaboration with UNESCO India: Proposed CoE for marine and freshwater biosphere reserve capacity
building, benefiting Africa and South Asia. Collaborated in events promoting UDA for sustainable
tropical water growth. The Ministry of Education & Skilling is processing the case and MRC has briefed
the UNESCO HQ in Paris and India’s permanent delegate for UNESCO in Paris on the same.
Collaboration with ISA: Partnered with ISA for global deep ocean mining capacity and capability
building. MRC/NDT has been recognized for promoting sustainable blue economy and digital
governance tools.
NITI Aayog Collaboration: Presented policy paper proposing nationwide acoustic capacity enhancement
to NITI Aayog. Tasked to provide roadmap and details, submitted report, now under circulation among
ministries.
Indian Navy Collaboration: Indian Navy discussed UDA framework in their Commander’s Conference.
Embarked on UDA implementation for strategic and tactical deployments.
The NSCS Collaboration: NSCS accepted policy paper on underwater security roadmap based on UDA
framework. MRC now recognized as domain expert and consulted on strategic security matters.
CBC Collaboration under PMO: Collaborating with Capacity Building Commission (CBC) under PMO
(Prime Minister’s Office) to design e-learning modules and outreach program for UDA framework
operationalization.
MEA Collaboration: MEA submitting proposal for UDA workshop in Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
UDA framework recognized as diplomatic tool for realizing SAGAR vision.
INCOIS Collaboration under MoES: Signed MoU with INCOIS, MoES, for progressing Digital Ocean
initiative. Recognizing data analytics abilities and supporting UNESCO Center of Excellence at INCOIS.
Sector Skill Council Proposal: Proposed sector skill council on underwater domain to enhance User-
Academia-Industry partnership, under deliberation at National Skill Development Council (NSDC).
MCCIA forwarded proposal, backed by FICCI.
Outreach to Key Stakeholders: Reached out to various stakeholders including state maritime boards,
Sagar Mala project stakeholders (Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Cochin Port Authority, etc.),
Ministry of Water Resources, Indian Institute of Water Management, National Cyclone Risk
Management Board, etc. Building strong stakeholder community for underwater domain awareness
skilling.
Guidance from Union Ministry: Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (Sagarmala) reached
out to guide MRC on skilling center proposal for Underwater Studies, aligning with SAGAR vision.
Ministry directed MRC to contact Nodal Ministry on Sector Skill Council.
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At the Level of Technology Intervention:
Narwhal Challenge 2019: NDT won the Narwhal Challenge 2019 in France for their innovation in real-
time monitoring of underwater noise from shipping. Selected among four global teams.
Defence Technology Innovation Challenge 2021: NDT succeeded in the 2021 challenge, developing a
versatile digital technology tool for real-time submarine deployment in tropical waters, catering to
various platform requirements.
Spatiotemporal Noise Map: Collaborated with MoES for a research project to create a spatiotemporal
noise map, monitoring low-frequency underwater noise in IOR's tropical waters, aligning with India's
digital ocean initiative.
Startups and Educational Institutions: NDT generated 50 innovative ideas, nurtured by over 200 students
from IITs, BITS Pilani, etc., reaching proof-of-concept stage, ready to integrate into the startup
ecosystem.
Collaboration with BEL: Research partner with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) for developing advanced
solutions in the defence sector, contributing to strategic security initiatives.
Indian Navy Collaboration: Evaluated and accepted three NDT projects for maritime surveillance, coastal
security and sub-surface target intelligence. Projects passed technical and operational assessments for
their innovative contributions.
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Enclosure 5: MRC’s Recent Trip to Malvan for Understanding the Significance of Blue Economy:
As part of the four-workshop series which was organized by the Maritime Research Centre (MRC) in March
2023, a trip to Malvan in Maharashtra was planned to understand nuances of Underwater Domain
Awareness and its significance in enhancing the Blue Economy. Some of the images can be viewed as below.
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AUTHORS
Think
Blue
The Maritime Research Center (MRC) is a think tank dedicated to Underwater Domain Awareness* (UDA).
Focused on acoustic capacity and capability building for the tropical and littoral waters in the Indian Ocean
Region, MRC collaborates with stakeholders from Blue Economy, National Security, Marine Environment to
Science and Technology.
MRC’s Centers of Underwater Excellence molds tangible products, policies and human skills. Towards this,
MRC is guided by its holistic UDA framework which has been embraced by stakeholders nationally and
globally.
Join us to contribute in making our blue planet more safe, secure, sustainable and effectively explored.
Lets collaborate !!
Dr. (Cdr) Arnab Das
Founder and Director, MRC
+91-96650-33463
mrc.foundationforuda.in
24 director.mrc@foundationforuda.in