New Delhi: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, today presented the National Geoscience Awards-2023 during a prestigious ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. The awards honor individuals and teams for their extraordinary contributions to the field of geosciences.
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu emphasized the importance of achieving self-sufficiency in mineral production to meet India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. She commended the government for integrating geoscientific data through the National Geoscience Data Repository Portal and utilizing AI and emerging technologies in mineral exploration and mining. These steps, she noted, would allow India to better understand and utilize its natural resources.
As India moves toward sustainable development, the President reaffirmed the country’s commitment to achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions. She underscored the need for a greater focus on critical minerals and rare earth elements essential for the green transition, expressing confidence that the National Critical Minerals Mission would play a pivotal role in bolstering India’s self-reliance and strengthening the value chain of critical minerals vital for economic growth and environmental goals.
The President also highlighted the establishment of the National Landslide Forecasting Centre in Kolkata, which will provide early warning bulletins for landslide-prone states. She stressed the importance of developing robust and accurate systems to minimize the damage caused by natural disasters like landslides and floods.
Reflecting on India’s rich geological heritage, President Murmu urged the youth to recognize the value of geo-tourism and geo-heritage sites, emphasizing that geo-tourism could inspire more people to explore careers in geosciences.
The National Geoscience Award, instituted by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, aims to honor outstanding achievements in various fields of geosciences and contribute to the advancement of the sector.
