The ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture has its headquarters at 75, Santhome High Road, R.A. Puram and field experimental station at Muttukkadu, a suburban area located about 35 km south of Chennai. The city of Chennai and its suburbs have received unprecedented rainfall during the first week of December 2015, causing massive flooding, displacement of people with serious damage of even study materials of school students. Considering this unprecedented flood situation and damages, the ICAR-CIBA family members including DG, ICAR Dr S. Ayyappan has volunteered to help the schools and students by providing study materials. After the survey of the flood-affected schools, and the requirement, the following three schools have been identified as the worst affected based on the extent of damage as well as the economic background of the students in those schools.
- Panchayat Union Middle School, Semmencherry Slums- 1100 students
- Govt. Higher Secondary school, Semmencherry- 380 students
- Govt. High School, Kovalam -400 students
On the spot assessment and direct interaction with the teachers and students of the above school indicated that they are in need of school bags (380nos), two computers, examination pad(380 nos), writing pad (20nos), A4 paper(30reams), examination paper (5 reams), and repair of a damaged RO plant the drinking water source. The required items were procured and distributed to the students on 5th January 2016, at the school premises. The students and staff felt extremely happy for the timely initiative taken by ICAR- CIBA. During the distribution of relief materials scientists of ICAR- CIBA had interacted with students and explained about the research activities of ICAR- CIBA. All the students evinced keen interest to know about the CIBA’s research activities and requested to organize a visit to the CIBA laboratories and Muttukkadu Experimental Station. This small initiative has inspired the young students and would go in a long way in nurturing the science, and importance of aquaculture among the students in these schools. The students and staff of the schools thanked the timely help rendered by ICAR-CIBA. This activity was organised and coordinated by Dr.K. Ambasankar, Dr. M. Kumaran, Dr. Akshaya Panigrahi, Dr. M. Jayanthi and Dr. M. Muralidhar under the guidance of Dr. K.K. Vijayan, Director, CIBA.
