Image Credits: Indian Navy Marking a historic milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in oceanographic science and maritime technology, the state-of-the-art Ocean Research Vessel (Yard 3041), officially named ORV Sagar Manthan, was launched at the Rishi Bankim Shipyard, Kolkata. Designed, engineered, and constructed by defense public sector undertaking Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) for the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the vessel was officially launched through virtual presence by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Earth Sciences, Government of India, with his spouse Mrs Manju Singh, who named the vessel, keeping with the tradition. The event was held in the august presence of Dr T. Srinivasa Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, who was joined by his spouse, Mrs Kavita Ellanti, for the ship launch in Kolkata. Hon’ble Minister highlighted National Pride, Global Ocean Geopolitics, and Atmanirbharta. Delivering the keynote address (virtual), Dr Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Earth Sciences, termed the occasion a “red letter day” for NCPOR, the Ministry, and the nation. He praised the team for achieving the launch within just two years of contract signing and barely five months after keel laying, hailing it as an exceptional display of efficiency. Highlighting the strategic and scientific necessity of the vessel, Dr Jitendra Singh (through his message) conveyed: “This fine ship is India’s first advanced Ocean Research Vessel built by GRSE, displaying the required thrust towards Atmanirbharta and self-reliance that Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has been laying so much stress on. Knowledge is strength, and this knowledge can only be gained through research. Today, the world knows very little about our oceans, yet they provide vital inputs about melting polar glaciers, maritime impact,