21 Earth Scientists Honored with National Geoscience Awards by President
President Droupadi Murmu (PTI photo)
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday presented the National Geoscience Awards (NGA) for 2023 to 21 earth scientists, including academics and professionals from across the country.
The awards, 12 in all, recognised outstanding achievements in geosciences, mineral exploration and natural hazard studies. The president stressed the need for self-sufficiency in mineral production to achieve India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The award winners were honored in three categories: National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement, National Geoscience Award, and National Young Geoscientist Award.
Prof Dhiraj Mohan Banerjee received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his pioneering work in the field of phosphorites, isotope geology and organic geochemistry. Dr Ashutosh Pandey received the National Young Geoscientist Award for his pioneering work on the geodynamic evolution of the Eastern Dharwar Craton.
The President also expressed confidence that the government’s initiatives, including the National Geoscience Data Repository Portal and use of emerging technologies, will help India better understand its natural resources and utilise them appropriately.
Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan emphasised the importance of earth sciences for nation building and said the award was in line with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’.
Reddy reiterated the government’s commitment to improve the mining sector through various reforms, including amendments to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act.
The amendments to the MMDR Act, 2023, have given the central government the power to auction 24 critical and strategic minerals. Till August 20, the Ministry of Mines has so far auctioned 14 such blocks.
He added that the Ministry of Mines recently introduced the exploration license for 29 deep-seated minerals to accelerate exploration in the country. Reddy also highlighted the recent announcement in the 2024 Budget for setting up the Critical Mineral Mission, which is a major step towards securing the supply chain of these essential minerals.
He highlighted the use of emerging technologies such as AI and machine learning in mineral discovery and exploration.
VL Kantha Rao, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, reviewed the evolution of the National Geoscience Awards since their inception in 1966, noting that the awards have been expanded to include new domains of geoscience.
First publication: Aug 21, 2024 | 12:20 AM IST