President Droupadi Murmu today conferred the prestigious National Geoscience Awards 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi. The National Geoscience Awards are among the country’s oldest and most prestigious honours in the field of geosciences. 

Congratulating the awardees, the President said, the awards are given to honour their commitment, innovation and excellence in the fields of geosciences. She also highlighted that minerals have played a pivotal role in the development of human civilisation and laid the cornerstone for industries. The President added that industrialisation cannot be envisioned without coal and iron.

 

 

The President also said the role of geoscientists is not limited to mining, and the impact of mining on geo-environmental sustainability also needs to be addressed by them. She underscored the need for technology development and deployment for value addition to mineral products and minimising wastage, which is crucial for sustainable mineral development. President Murmu pointed out that the  Ministry of Mines is committed to sustainability and innovation and is promoting AI, machine learning, and drone-based surveys in the mining industry. She also appreciated the steps taken by the Ministry for the recovery of valuable elements from mine tailings.

 

 

The President said that mining provides resources for economic development and creates huge employment opportunities. She stated that all regulations must be strictly followed during the mining process to mitigate adverse effects. President Murmu also underlined that Rare Earth Elements are the backbone of modern technology and can power everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to defence systems and clean energy solutions. She said India must become self-reliant as it is crucial for achieving the goal of a developed India and ensuring national security.