A three-day "International Conference on Meteoroid, meteor, Meteorites: Messengers from Space (MetMeSS-2024)" was inaugurated on November 20, 2024 at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. The inauguration was held at K.R. Ramanathan Auditorium at 9:30 AM. More than 150 delegates from various academic and research institutions, with a significant representation of students, from both within India and abroad are participating in it.

The inaugural session began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address by Prof. Anil Bhardwaj, Director, PRL. Shri A.S. Kiran Kumar, Chairman, PRL Council of Management conveyed his best wishes for this conference in the messages. Dr. S. Somanath, Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman, ISRO delivered the Inaugural address through a recorded video and highlighted the importance of Planetary Sciences and explorations, as well as future planetary missions including Chandrayaan 4 and Venus Orbiter mission and declared the conference open. Prof. Anil Bhardwaj, Director, PRL released the Conference Abstract volume and presented an overview of scientific activities at PRL. Prof. Varun Sheel outlined the research being conducted in the area of Planetary Sciences in PRL. Prof. Kuljeet Kaur Marhas, Convener, MetMeSS-2024 gave an overview of conference and the research initiatives currently undertaken in Planetary Laboratory Analyses in PRL. Co-convener Dr. Dwijesh Ray concluded the session with a vote of thanks.

This MetMeSS-2024 international conference aims to identify opportunities that will influence India's future directions in planetary research and space exploration in the international arena.

AP/IJ/GP/JD

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