GROW-N: A Small Attempt to Fill a Big Gap

In this blog article, we will underline the need for a new networking platform for people working in areas related to remote sensing, ocean engineering, and water resources engineering, and highlight how GROW-N aims to address this need.

Why We Need an Effective Networking Platform in IndiaScience is inherently a social activity. People learn from each other, ensuring the passage of knowledge from one generation to the next. While reading books and research papers is considered as the primary mode of learning, the importance of personal interaction should not be ignored at all. It is often far easier to learn from someone through personal interaction than by reading journal articles written by the person. That is why we attend conferences, sometimes travelling thousands of miles. The importance of shared learning has been realized in recent years, prompting funding agencies to encourage multi-institutional research projects. In essence, everyone in a scientific community is part of the larger network of scientists. Although everyone understands the importance of personal interaction, creating a common platform for networking is not an easy task. It requires a vision shared by everyone in the community. Speaking specifically about researchers working in areas related to water resources management, the AGU has emerged as the most favored networking platform worldwide. It has over 60,000 members from about 135 countries. The 2024 AGU Annual Meeting was attended by around 27,000 researchers from about 100 countries. Nevertheless, one platform cannot serve the needs of all researchers worldwide. Counterintuitively, distance is not the main constraint; for example, the AGU could open offices in different parts of the world to serve local needs. The main challenge, however, is accommodating ideological differences and local identities. Europeans, for instance, believed in open-access publications when the AGU was not ready for such an idea, leading to the rise of HESS. For similar reasons, there are many other platforms in different parts of the world, including in India. Of course, many platforms have been built to connect Indian researchers. Nevertheless, no platform in India effectively connects all the water resources researchers of the country. If you are having a telephonic conversation with your collaborator from another corner of India and you ask where you can meet in person, chances are quite high that you will be asked if you are attending the upcoming AGU Annual Meeting or the EGU General Assembly. The chances of someone from an elite institution attending a conference in India without an invitation are quite low. Even though the number of researchers working in India is quite large, there is not even a single journal that one would recommend to an international collaborator. Nevertheless, we must remember opportunities lie where challenges exist. GROW-N is a small attempt to connect academicians, industry professionals, and policy makers.
Briefly about GROW-N It started with the intent to bring together students and professors from three specializations in the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Bombay – water resources engineering, remote sensing, and ocean engineering – onto one platform for meaningful exchange of ideas and information. The group was named GROW: Group on Remote sensing, Ocean, and Water Resources (https://wgiitb.wixsite.com/wgiitb/blog). Apart from regular meetings, a blog was launched to encourage the members to communicate research and share other useful information (check the website). Social media helped to reach out to an audience beyond IIT Bombay. Unfortunately, COVID struck, and all activities ceased. However, the idea was not forgotten. A new group of volunteers came forward to rebuild the platform in 2024. In January 2025, a conference was organized by GROW with support from the Institute of Eminence (IoE) fund, IIT Bombay. A panel discussion was held to address the challenges in connecting researchers in India. Several participants, including Prof. K. P. Sudheer, Prof. T. I. Eldho, and Prof. V. Jothiprakash, suggested expanding GROW to include other institutions, leading to the birth of GROW-N (Group on Remote Sensing, Ocean, and Water Resources – for Networking). The Administration and Leadership Opportunities The GROW-N administration consists of two key elements: a committee and an advisory board. The committee members will be responsible for drafting and implementing policies, which will be formulated in consultation with the advisory board. At any given time, the committee will have two coordinators from two separate institutions. In line with our vision to nurture leadership, the GROW-N administration will operate horizontally; each committee member will be encouraged to explore effective strategies for managing the assigned activities and tasks. Mission and Vision GROW-N has been created to fill the gap of an effective network platform for researchers, industry professionals, and policy-makers. It is designed to complement, not compete with the existing organizations. We see it as our duty to inspire the younger generation to achieve excellence and take on leadership roles. The ultimate mission is to promote science and serve society at large. GROW-N will not be controlled by any institution; anyone willing to contribute to its growth is welcome. GROW-N will be open to collaboration with any organization whose core values align with ours, which are: to encourage the exchange of ideas, foster information sharing, and nurture future leadership. The long-term vision is to facilitate the emergence of a society like the AGU or the EGU in India, one that is respected worldwide. Ongoing and Planned Activities We have created a WhatsApp group (GROW-N) and a Google Group for the members. These two forums will serve as the primary modes of communication and networking (anyone joining one or both of these groups is considered a member). The member count is steadily increasing, and the current strength is about 180. In addition, our social media footprint is steadily growing. The LinkedIn page now has over 550 followers. We are also present on X and Instagram. We have rolled out a Monthly Talk Series, which will include “A Lifetime of Experience” talks by eminent personalities. The first “A Lifetime of Experience” talk will be given by Prof. B. S. Murty, IIT Madras, on 23rd April 2025. Prof. Murty’s talk will highlight his academic journey and his messages for the young generation. The next talk is expected to be given by an industry professional on strategies to bridge the academia-industry divide (potential speakers are being contacted). As of now, GROW-N exists solely as a virtual entity. Although we do not have any short-term plans to organize conferences, we will be happy to collaborate with any group whose values are aligned with ours. Our role will be limited to promotion of events and meetings. Several well-known researchers were invited to join the advisory board and have expressed their willingness. A few members have been selected to join the committee and are already involved in the planning and execution of activities. Currently, we are looking for motivated members with leadership experience to contribute towards GROW-N’s mission and vision. Those without previous leadership experience can also contact us by highlighting their motivations. Our website is currently under construction. All the previous blog articles have been shifted to a new blog (https://growiitb.blogspot.com/). We are currently soliciting blog articles from members who are known for blogging. Anyone interested in writing an article can contact the team. Benefits of joining GROW-N The main benefits of joining GROW-N are:

1. Staying updated with research and industry practices.
2. Finding potential employers/employees. A member is allowed to post job ads in the
3. WhatsApp and Google groups.
4. Advertise events such as conferences and workshops.
5. Finding effective mentorship.
6. Writing articles for GROW-N blog.

Besides, one can join the GROW-N Committee for gaining leadership experience. Join us: Google Group: https://groups.google.com/g/grow-n WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/HI9ljVOKnQaHf90BcUeQ2d Follow GROW-N on: LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/g3BqSdHF Twitter/X: https://x.com/GrowIitb/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grow_iitb/ Blog: https://growiitb.blogspot.com/

Welcome to GROW-N!

    - Written by GROW-N Coordinators: Basudev Biswal, IIT Bombay, and Vinay Chembolu, IIT Jammu

(GROW Symposium Emerging Techniques for Sustainable Water Resources Management)