Abstract
The paper gives a brief review of the progress in oceanography in India since the middle of the nineteenth century when this important field of science had its beginning in this country. In order to make future planning more purposeful and for the proper growth of the subject, the need for a stock-taking and development of strong schools specializing in different aspects of oceanography is emphasized. The inescapability of a co-operative approach in oceanography, if substantial progress is to be achieved, is reiterated. The paper concludes with a tribute to Dr. N. K. Panikkar who has been the main architect in planning and organizing the many National Institutes dealing with oceanography, marine biology and fisheries. THE middle of the nineteenth century saw the beginning of marine biological and oceanographical investigations along the coast of India. The interest and enthusiasm of the medical oflScers working on board the ships of the Royal Indian Navy in the marine environment sowed the seeds of oceanographic studies in this country. Subsequently with the appointment of Surgeon Naturalists on the staff of the Marine Survey Department an organized effort to gather knowledge of the conditions of life in our seas was started. The interest kindled by these Surgeon Naturalists gradually spread resulting in the establishment of marine biological studies in the Zoological Survey of India, the Fisheries Department and Government Museum, Madras, etc. Following these, universities began to evince interest in the study of marine life. With the setting up of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute the need for oceanographic investigations as an integral part of marine fisheries research was recognized. In the chronological order of events, the next landmark is the formation of the Marine Biological Association of India. Soon, the world community of oceanographers recognized the fact that Indian Ocean was the least explored and a co-operative effort to study this ocean, the International Indian Ocean Expedition, was organized. This was also prompted by the fact that it is one of the unique oceans subjected to the influence of monsoons. India actively participated in this and as a further step of recognition of this important field of study a full-fledged institute, the National Institute of Oceanography, was set up.
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