New Delhi: Ministry of Earth Science celebrated its Foundation Day yesterday. The main function was held in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi . It was chaired by which witnessed Dr.Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences as Chief Guest and Prof. Govardhan Mehta, National Research Professor & Jubilant-Bhartia Chair, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, as the Guest of Honour.
In his welcome address Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences said the Ministry of Earth Sciences aims to create a framework for understanding the complex interaction among key elements of the Earth System, namely ocean atmosphere and solid earth by encompassing the existing national programmes in meteorology. Climate, environment and seismology.
The mandate of the Ministry of Earth Sciences to provide the nation with the best possible services in forecasting the monsoons and other weather/climate parameters, ocean state, earthquakes, tsunamis and other phenomena related to earth systems through well integrated programmes and utilizing world class science and technology resources.
In addition, the Ministry also works on science and technology for exploration and exploitation of ocean resources (living and non-living), and plays nodal role for Antarctic/Arctic and Southern Ocean Research. The Ministry plays key role in disaster warning from Tsunami, oil spills, cyclones and storm surges.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister S&T said we need to develop a mechanism so that young talent is attracted towards commendable and meritorious work in the field of Sciences especially the Earth Sciences.
Minister noted with satisfaction that During the course of last two decades, the Ministry has achieved several successes in the tasks assigned to it and is poised for making further impressive strides in the near future.
Successful demonstration of 10 lakh liter per day desalination plant, Establishment of Tsunami Early Warning Centre at INCOIS, Hyderabad, 30 successful scientific trips to Antarctica, initiation of scientific expeditions to Arctic, Development of deep drilling technology, etc.
On this occasion a galaxy of Scientists and budding talents from institutions across the country were awarded and given certificates of merit. This included:
01 Life Time Excellence Award was conferred to Prof. Vinod K Gaur, Former Director, National Physical Institute, Hyderabad and a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy(INSA), the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Third World Academy of Sciences. The award carries a cash prize of Rs.5.00 lakhs and a citation;
04 National Awards in the field of Ocean Science & Technology, Atmospheric Science & Technology, Geoscience & Technology and Polar Science & Cryosphere were conferred to Prof.T.Balasubramanian, Prof. Bhupendra Nath Goswami, Dr.Rishi Narain Singh and Dr.Anil Vishnupant Kulkarni. These awards carries a cash prize of Rs.1.00 lakh each and a citation; and
02 Young Researcher/Achiever Award were given to Dr.Vijayakumar S. Nair, Space Physics Laboratory, Indian Space Research Organisation, Thiruvananthapuram, for his outstanding contributions in the field of atmospheric aerosols and aerosol-cloud-climate interactions and Dr.Rambichar Singh Yadav, Assistant Professor, Department of Geophysics, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, for his outstanding contributions in the field of earthquake research for encouraging excellence in young minds for outstanding research work in the fields related to Earth System Science which carries a cash prize of Rs.50,000/- each and a citation.
Certificate of merit were given to for the following young scientists:
Certificate of Merit in Ocean, Polar and Geosciences:Ms.Runa Antony, NCAOR - She has made outstanding contributions in the field of Polar Microbiology and Biogeochemistry.
Smt. A Malarkodi, NIOT – She has made outstanding contributions in the field of Coastal Modelling
Shri K. Annapurnaiah, INCOIS - He has made outstanding contributions in the field of Information Services and Ocean Sciences.
Dr.D. Padmalal, NCESS – He has made outstanding contributions in the field of Quaternary Geology and Environmental Geology
Shri Tenson Noronha, CMLRE – He has made outstanding contributions in the field of Southern Ocean Marine Living Resources.
Dr.Uma Sankar Panda, ICMAM – He has made outstanding contributions in the field of prediction of pollutants in the coastal waters of Chennai
Dr.Mithila Verma, MoES – She has made outstanding contribution in the field of active fault mapping in India.
Certificate of Merit in Atmospheric Science & Climate Change:Dr.G. Pandithurai, IITM – He has made outstanding contribution in the field of CAIPEEX and integrated ground observational campaigns.
Dr.Praveen Kumar D, NCMRWF – He has made outstanding contributions for providing computational support for internal and external users of NCMRWF supercomputing facility.
Shri Narendra Nigam, IMD – He has made outstanding contributions in the field of Aviation Meteorology.
Shri Subhash Chander Bhan, IMD – He has made outstanding contributions in human resource development, operational meteorology and administration.
The awards were also given to the employees of the ministry for their outstanding contribution.
In addition following school childrens were also awarded for the Earth Day National Level Drawing Competition on the occasion.
Level One (Class V and below)3rd Prize: Ms.Aanchal Yadav, IVth Standard, Venkateshwar International School, Sector-10, Dwarka, New Delhi.
2nd Prize: Ms.Niti Dixit, Vth Standard, Kendriya Vidyalaya, CRPF, Bijnaur, Lucknow
1st Prize: Ms.Ishita Mondal, Vth Standard, Nimpith Sarada Vidyamandir For Girls, Nimpith Ashram, 24 Paragnas, West Bengal.
Level Two (VIth to Xth Standard)3rd Prize: Ms.Radhika Chauhan, Xth Standard, St. Froebel Senior Secondary School A-3 Block, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi.
2nd Prize: Mr.Ambik Guin, VIIIth Standard, Begampur High School Hooghly, West Bengal.
1st Prize: Mr.Suraj Negi, Xth Standard, Chhauni Children’s Academy, Kashipur, Uttarkhand.
Level Three (XIth to Graduation)3rd Prize: Ms.Ruby, B.A 1st Year, Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Rohtak Road, Kharkhoda, Haryana.
2nd Prize: Ms.Chanchal Rajput, Pursuing Masters of Fine Art, Subharti University, Meerut.
1st Prize: Ms. Zeba Rani, Diploma in Efficient Energy Electronic Product, KIIT, Sambhal.
The award giving began from last year following the institution of the National Earth System Science Awards to recognize outstanding performance by scientists/engineers of Indian orgin in addition to Certificate of Merit and other Awards by the Earth System Science Organisation.
