President of India confers National Geoscience Awards- 2022

The President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu has conferred the prestigious National Geoscience Awards- 2022 (NGA) of the Ministry of Mines in a glittering function organized at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre here today. Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad joshi and Minister of State for Coal, Mines & Railways Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve and senior functionaries of the Ministry of Mines, Geological Survey of India graced the occasion.

Twenty-two Geoscientists including working professionals and academicians from across the country received the awards grouped under three categories namely one National Geoscience Award for Life Time Achievement, one National Young Geoscientist Award and eight National Geoscience Awards in various fields of geosciences.

The National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement was conferred upon Dr. Om Narain Bhargava, well known for his pioneering work in the Himalayas spanning over the last four decades. The National Young Geoscientist Award was presented to Dr. Amiya Kumar Samal, Assistant Professor of Banaras Hindu University who has made significant contribution in understanding the variation of sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) below different Archean cratons of the Indian shield.

Instituted in 1966, the National Geoscience Awards (NGA) is a symbol of recognition and appreciation for exceptional individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence, dedication and innovation in the realm of Geosciences. The awards are presented in the field of Mineral Discovery and Exploration, Basic Geosciences, Applied Geosciences and Mining, Mineral Beneficiation and Sustainable Mineral Development.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the field of Geoscience is very wide. It also includes the study of natural disasters like landslides, earthquakes, floods and tsunamis. These subjects are called Public Good Geosciences because they are useful in the protection of a large number of people.

The President said that mining is the primary sector of our economy. Mineral development has a vital contribution in the economic development of the country. During the last few years, many progressive changes have been brought in the mining sector by the government. These changes are enhancing the capacity and productivity of the mining sector.

The President said only that path of science and development proves correct which goes towards the welfare of humanity. That’s why the geoscientist community has to keep moving forward in the direction of human centric mining. She appreciated Indian geoscientists for strengthening India’s economy by contributing in the efficient use of minerals.

The President said that nowadays special attention is being given to minerals like Rare Earth Elements, Platinum Group of Elements and Semiconducting Elements. Keeping in view the priority of environment protection, mining of some traditional minerals and their results are being analyzed from a new perspective. She appreciated the Ministry of Mines for acknowledging the contribution in the field of Sustainable Mineral Development in today’s awards. She was happy to note that for Sustainable Mineral Development, equal attention is being given to all the three dimensions – economic, social and environmental.

Text of The President’s Address: https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2023/jul/doc2023724227801.pdf

In his address, Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi urged geoscientists to focus on exploration of critical minerals for the strategic development of the country. Complementing the award winners, he said that Geoscientists need to use baseline data properly to find new minerals. Mining sector can play a crucial role in giving shape to New India, he added. Highlighting the steps being taken by the Ministry of Mines in the form of amendments to the existing laws, opening up the sector for private sector participation and other reforms in view of the anticipated growth of the Indian economy he stated that the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act (MMDR) will be further amended.

Minister of State Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve also complimented the award winners and said that apart from contributing to developmental requirements of the country, geoscientists play a crucial role in mitigating the sufferings from natural disasters.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary Ministry of Mines outlined the background of the awards instituted in 1966 by the Ministry of Mines. The awards have evolved since then with inclusion of new domains of geoscience, he added.

Awardees for the National Geoscience Awards-2022

For the National Geoscience Awards- 2022, a total of 173 nominations were received. The number of valid nominations under the three award categories is 168. Out of the total 12 Awards, the AMA has finally selected 10 awards which include 4 individual awards, 3 team awards & 3 joint award. The 04 individual award also includes the one award for National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement and another award for National Young Geoscientist Award. The details are as follows-

List of awardees for the National Geoscience Awards 2022 is as follows-