President Droupadi Murmu Honours Leaders in Geoscience with National Awards 2024

New Delhi, September 26, 2025 – The President of India, Droupadi Murmu,  presented the National Geoscience Awards-2024 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, recognising remarkable achievements in the field of geoscience.

Speaking at the event, the President highlighted the pivotal role of minerals in the advancement of human civilisation. She noted that major historical periods such as the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages are named after minerals, which have also driven industrial progress and shaped trade and technology over centuries.

While acknowledging the economic and employment benefits of mining, President Murmu cautioned that the industry can have significant environmental and social impacts, including air and water pollution, deforestation, and displacement of communities. She stressed that all mining activities must follow strict regulations, and proper procedures should be observed during mine closures to safeguard both people and wildlife.

Drawing attention to India’s extensive maritime boundaries, the President underscored the potential of oceanic mineral reserves. She encouraged geoscientists to explore these resources using sustainable technologies that protect marine biodiversity while contributing to national development.

President Murmu also appreciated the initiatives taken by the Ministry of Mines to integrate innovation into the sector. She mentioned the use of AI, machine learning, and drone surveys, as well as efforts to recover valuable materials from mine tailings, which help reduce waste and enhance efficiency.

Highlighting the strategic importance of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), which are essential for smartphones, electric vehicles, clean energy, and defense applications, the President said India must achieve self-sufficiency in their production. She emphasized that while these elements are not inherently scarce, refining them is a complex process. Developing indigenous technology for this purpose would significantly strengthen India’s technological independence and national security.