In a first of its kind move ignored by mainstream media is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU )  signed between relevant authorities of the Centre. It was signed on Wednesday with a high aim connected with Polar Biology.

The signatories of the MoU were the Department of Biotechnology and Ministry of Earth Sciences by Secretary, DBT and Secretary, MoES in the presence of Dr.Jitendra Singh, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space.

The MoU envisages mutual collaboration to explore the possibility of cooperation, convergence and synergy to bring out expertise and services of both the organizations under one roof and work hand-in-hand for addressing relevant questions in the field of polar biology. Particularly, biotechnological applications of polar microbes could be the centre point of this collaboration between both the Ministry of Earth Sciences and DBT.

The MoU will be implemented with the aim to collaborate within mutually agreed-upon thrust areas of research in the area of POLAR sciences. 

Initially, these efforts would be taken up through collaborative proposal by the researchers at MOES institutes making use of the presently available setups of MOES at Polar Regions. In order to strengthen this association and expedite the research in the polar region joint laboratories will be set up at MOES stations. This will allow researchers to carry out the experiments on the site without the need for transporting the samples in the parent laboratories in India and will generate valuable information and novel products from these unique environments. 

This flagship synergistic approach would be taken up in mission mode through networking with the elite institutions in the country.