The BOBP-IGO and Arnawaz Vaudev Charities (AVC) launched the "Wave of Art" Initiative today (29 August 2022) in an event organized at the BOBP-IGO conference Hall in a Hybrid Mode. Dr. M. Venkatachalam, IFS, Joint Secretary & Head, MEA Branch Secretariat, Chennai, Ministry of External Affairs chaired the event. Prof. J. Ranganathan, Honorary Consulate General of Myanmar and Padmashri Dr. Thota Tharani, Film Art Director, Dr. B. Manimaran, Founder Vice Chancellor, TNJFU were the Guests of Honor. Dr. E. Vivekanandan, fisheries expert, artists from the Cholamandal Artist Village Sketching Club, faculties from the Stella Maris College, members of the AVC and scientists from ICAR were other distinguished guests who attended the event.

Dr. M. Venkatachalam released the first sketching work of the series, "Women in Fisheries" on this occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Venkatachalam said that the activity intrigues him and he will extend full cooperation to take the initiative beyond the frontiers. Prof. J. Ranganathan appreciated the initiative and said that he will help network with other countries. Dr. Thota Tharani congratulated the Organisation and AVC for taking a novel communication approach and called for support from artists and academics to take it forward.

Prior to that, Dr. Krishnan, Director of BOBP-IGO, welcomed the dignitaries and summarized the Initiative's goal and strategy for implementation. He credited Dr. S. Jayaraj, Coordinator of the Waves of Art Program for the successful conduct of the event.

The BOBP-IGO also signed an MoU with AVC to cooperate and collaborate in planning and implementing programmes and publications related to the fisheries management, ecosystem conservation, occupational safety and issues concerning lives and livelihoods of the coastal communities.