During 1997-98 all possible efforts were made by the Department to further promote progressive use of Hindi in official work. Meetings of Official Language Implementation committee were held regularly.

The Annual report, Performance Budget, Demands for Grants, all Cabinet reports and documents presented to the Standing Committee and Consultative Committee of Parliament etc. were prepared bilingually. The Department also continued to bring out its quarterly news letter "Ocean News" bilingually.

The Department conducted an all India level seminar in Hindi entitled "Antarctic - Ek Uplabdhi", on 8th July, 1997. About 25 scientists from various organisations/institutions spoke at this forum and disseminated information about Polar Science in Hindi.

The first meeting of the newly constituted Joint Hindi Salahkar Samiti of the Department of Ocean Development and the Department of Science & Technology was held on 28th October 1997 in New Delhi.

Hindi fortnight was organised in the Deptt. from 1st to 14th September,1997. During this fortnight Hindi essay writing, typing, noting and drafting and debate competitions were held and prizes were distributed. Two five-day Hindi workshops were organised in which officers/employees were given practical training on day to day use of Hindi in official work.

Smt. Vinita Singhal was awarded the second prize of Rs 15,000/= for her book "Praval and Praval Bhitiya" under the "Mahasagar Vikas Vibhag Puraskar Yojana" for original Hindi book writing.

Stenographers and typists were imparted training in Hindi stenography and typewriting under the departmental arrangement.