The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Kolkata): The Geological Survey of India (GSI) celebrated its 174th Foundation Day on March 4, 2024, with grandeur and enthusiasm, holding festivities across all its offices in the country. The central event in Kolkata was inaugurated by Shri Janardan Prasad, Director General, GSI, alongside distinguished guests including Dr. M. K. Mukhopadhyay, former Director General of GSI, Dr. Joydeep Guha, Additional Director General & Head of Department, CHQ, and other prominent current and retired GSI officials.
The celebration began with a homage to GSI’s founders, Dr. Thomas Oldham and Dr. M. S. Krishnan, followed by the inauguration of an exhibition of rocks, minerals, and fossils for students from Kolkata and its suburbs. The exhibition aimed to inspire and educate students about the importance and diversity of geological resources.
In his address, Shri Janardan Prasad highlighted GSI’s critical role in the nation’s mineral resource exploration over its 174-year history. He underscored GSI’s commitment to making India self-reliant in mineral resources through advanced exploration techniques, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and collaborations with national and international agencies. Shri Prasad also stressed GSI’s efforts in geohazard management and early warning systems, thanking the GSI community for their dedication and contributions.
Dr. M. K. Mukhopadhyay, reflecting on his experiences, emphasized the unique challenges and responsibilities of geologists, from fieldwork in remote areas to contributing to policy-making processes. He encouraged the GSI community to continue striving for excellence and policymakers to utilize GSI’s expertise in natural disaster management.
The event also saw the release of the latest issue of the Indian Journal of Geoscience, featuring current research and developments in geoscience. The day was further enriched with lectures and presentations by geologists on topics including mineral prospectivity analysis using machine learning and the challenges of securing future minerals and metals. The celebration concluded with a cultural program and the felicitation of retired GSI officials, marking a memorable day for the geoscientific community in India.