CIFT Celebrates 62nd Foundation Day

Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT) celebrated its 62nd Foundation Day last month on 29th April, 2019.  Former Chairperson of National Biodiversity Board (Chennai), former Deputy Director General (Fisheries), ICAR and also the former Director of CIFT, Dr. B. Meenakumari was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Dr. Meenakumari as the chief guest applauded the accomplishments of the Institute for its 62 years of fruitful existence during which it has catered the requirement of harvest and post harvest sectors in fisheries greatly, that has been affirmed by the growth in fishery exports and trade. 

Dr. Ravishankar C.N. Director of CIFT in his presidential address highlighted the prominent contributions of the Institute during the last year (2018-19), which included 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 markets, and its national level tremendous impact in controlling 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 Shipyard Limited (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 partnership with 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 of national ‘Blue Economy’ policy document and in addition also playing an active role in the recent flood relief measures during the massive flood havoc in Kerala during 2018 and conducting a post flood damage assessment in the fisheries sector as an after-math of the flood. 

As part of the function, continuing its long tradition of honouring Institute’s retired staff on the Foundation Day, CIFT honoured representatives of the different categories of the retired staff of the Institute, namely Dr. T.K. Sivadas (Scientific), Dr. P.J., Cecily (Technical), Shri Raveendran Nair (Administrative) and Shri C.A. Krishnan (Skilled Support). Dr. Susheela Mathew, HOD, Biochemistry and Nutrition Division welcomed the gathering and Shri K.S. Sreekumaran,Finance and Accounts Officer proposed the vote of thanks.  

The function ended with a variety of entertainment programme performed by the staff and their wards.