Odisha scientists shine with National Geoscience Awards
President Droupadi Murmu honours two young geoscientists for landmark mineral discoveries and exploration
By Subrat Sarangi
New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Oct. 8: Two young Odia scientists have brought laurels to both Odisha and the nation by winning the National Geoscience Award (NGA) 2024, the country’s highest recognition in the field of geoscience.
The awards were conferred by President Droupadi Murmu at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in the presence of Union Minister of Mines G. Kishan Reddy on September 26.
Out of 20 geoscientists honoured nationwide, two projects from the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Bhubaneswar, were recognised for outstanding contributions to mineral discovery and exploration. These projects—focusing on coal exploration in the Talcher coalfield of Angul district and the Madansahi–Dudhiasol-Kesharpur copper-nickel deposit in Mayurbhanj district—represent major milestones in India’s mineral research landscape.
Sradhanjali Subhadashini, Director, GSI Bhubaneswar, received the prestigious award for leading a team that augmented over 1,900 million tonnes of coal resources in the Kanaloi and Talanali sectors of the Talcher coalfield, one of India’s largest energy basins.
Her team’s extensive exploration identified quarriable prospects, substantially enhancing the nation’s energy security. “This recognition is not just personal; it belongs to every geoscientist working tirelessly to map the country’s resource potential,” she remarked.
Experts noted that Subhadashini’s work supports India’s growing energy demand while advancing the long-term sustainability of its resource economy.
Equally noteworthy is the contribution of Haraman Mahanta, Senior Geologist at GSI, Bhubaneswar, who, along with his team, received the award for the pathbreaking discovery and exploration of copper, nickel, and associated critical mineral deposits in the Madansahi–Dudhiasol-Kesharpur region of Mayurbhanj.
The exploration—yielding 37.77 million tonnes of copper resources and 2.05 million tonnes of nickel resources—is being hailed as the largest copper and critical mineral find in Odisha, significantly strengthening India’s critical mineral base and aligning with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).
According to experts, the Madansahi–Dudhiasol-Kesharpur deposit is not merely a geological feat; it represents a strategic leap in India’s quest for critical minerals essential to the nation’s clean energy transition.
The Union Mines Ministry has recently placed renewed emphasis on critical mineral exploration to fortify India’s mineral economy and accelerate industrial growth. Discoveries such as those in Talcher and Mayurbhanj are expected to play a key role in strengthening the country’s strategic resource capabilities.
