Union Minister of Science & Technology and Vice President CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has praised India's achievement in unveiling the country's first indigenous hydrogen fuel sea vessel. The vessel, developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd with a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain by KPIT, marks a significant milestone in India's maritime industry. This success story is attributed to the collaborative efforts of the public and private sectors, leveraging the foundational work enabled by CSIR. During a high-level meeting to review CSIR's initiatives and achievements, Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of aligning scientific pursuits with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of self-reliance in critical technology domains. The Minister commended CSIR's collaborative innovation through programs like NMITLI, which aims at pursuing high-risk technological ventures for national impact. Among the recent breakthroughs, the development of fuel cell technology under the NMITLI program stood out. This initiative, a collaboration between KPIT, CSIR-NCL Pune, and CSIR-CECRI, has led to the deployment of low-temperature PEM fuel cell systems in various sectors. The highlight of this endeavor was the launch of the first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel in Tamil Nadu. Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the pivotal role of CSIR in driving technology-led growth and fostering India's self-reliance in frontier areas. He urged CSIR authorities to further strengthen industry linkages, scale up innovations, and pursue bold R&D initiatives aligned with national priorities. The article showcases how India's foray into hydrogen fuel technology in the maritime sector is a testament to collaborative innovation and a step towards sustainable and self-reliant technological advancements.