(The above news is provided by Manish Mishra, Chem 2002)
Honorable Union Minister for Mines, Shri. Sis Ram Ola presented the National Mineral Award for 2004 to Dr.H.S.Venkatesh, Scientist III, National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Kolar Gold Fields, in New Delhi on 8th March. Dr.Venkatesh's experimental work in coalmines has paved the way for operating big opencast coal projects in western India. He has made commendable contributions on mitigation of rock mass damage due to blasting. His expertise in controlled blasting has led to development of an economical method of muffling that is being applied
in many projects successfully. In recognition of his significant contribution in the field of Mining Technology, National Mineral Award-2004 was conferred upon Dr.Venkatesh.
Dr.Venkatesh acquired his M. Tech in Mining Engineering from IT-BHU in
the year 1990.
Additional news about National Mineral Awards:
National Mineral Awards for 2004 given away
New Delhi: Twenty-two geo-scientists, engineers and technologists were on Wednesday awarded with the National Mineral Awards 2004 for their outstanding contribution in the field of mines.
Union Minister of Mines, Sis Ram Ola, presented the awards at a function held here today.
While giving away the award, Ola called on geo-scientist community to evaluate the non-conventional energy potential of the country to address the enormous pressure on water and energy resources posed by the ever-increasing population, and stressed on exploring more gas hydrates in ocean bed, coal bed methane and concentrate on ocean and geothermal energy conversion.
The Minister said that the Government has taken a number of policy initiatives to attract private investment in the field of mineral exploration, development and mining.
“This has helped to attract state of the art technologies and additional capital investment to enrich the sector,” Ola said, adding “all our efforts should aim at sustainable development and growth”.
The Minister of State for Mines, T. Subbarami Reddy, who was also present on the occasion, appealed to the geologists and mining engineers to concentrate on exploring new minerals which would help reduce country’s dependence on imports.
“It still continues to be a net importer of many high value minerals and metals. The quest for self-reliance has been the motivating factor behind the exploratory endeavours in the country... Greater thrust should be on natural and anthropogenic hazard evaluation and disaster management. These awards would go a long way in inspiring the geo-scientists in the pursuit of excellence,” Reddy said.
The National Mineral Awards Scheme now covers 14 earth science related fields carrying an award money of Rs. one lakh each with a trophy, certificate and a citation.
The National Mineral Awards for Excellence carries an award of Rs. three lakh, with a trophy, certificate and a citation for which, nobody has been selected for the year 2004.
So far, more than 500 geo-scientists have been honoured with the coveted National Mineral Awards and five have received the prestigious National Mineral Awards for Excellence.
Director General of Geological Survey of India, P.M. Tejale was also present here, along with several other dignitaries.