BHU Geologist gets National Award

BHU Geologist gets National Award

Varanasi: A professor of Banaras Hindu University at the Department of Geology Dr. NV Chalapathi Rao has received the prestigious National award for Geoscience & technology instituted by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The MoES on Wednesday announced the National Awards for excellence in Earth System Science.

Rao has carried out an enduring research on deeper mantle petrology and geochemistry. “I am happy for the recognition of my works,” said Rao, who has pursued his higher studies in Osmania University, Hyderabad and Cambridge University, UK. Rao’s areas of specialization include Igneous Petrology, Geochemistry, Mineralogy with special reference to kimberlites, lamproites and lamprophyres; Process Mineralogy; EPMA of minerals.

His research interest primarily involves the petrogenetic aspects of small-volume potassic to highly potassic rocks such as kimberlites, lamproites, lamprophyres and their entrained xenoliths (including diamond), he said adding that he is particularly interested in their role in unraveling the large-scale geodynamic processes of the Indian shield including the composition and evolution of its sub-continental lithospheric mantle, origin and original spatial extent of the Mesozoic Large Igneous Provinces (Deccan Flood basalts, Rajmahal basalts) and the Proterozoic sedimentary basins (Purana basins).

“My work involves field as well as laboratory components with integration of data from petrography, mineral chemistry, geochemistry, stable and unstable isotope systematics and geophysics (paleomagnetism and petrophysics). My current research interests also include the study of mafic dykes and dyke swarms, alkaline rocks, carbonatites and mass-extinctions associated with the Cretaceous-Tertiary (65Ma) boundary,” he said.

BHU Geologist gets National Award

According to the MoES, it is mandated to provide the nation with the best possible services for weather, climate, ocean, coastal and natural hazards, for the Public Safety and socio-economic benefits. The Ministry also deals with exploration and sustainable harnessing of ocean resources (living and non-living) and plays a nodal role for Antarctic/Arctic/Himalayas and Southern Ocean research. The MoES aims to provide due recognition and platform to major scientific contributions made by eminent scientists/engineers in various fields of Earth System Science and also to encourage women and young researchers for coming into the mainstream of Earth System Science.

The Ministry has instituted the Life Time Excellence Award, National Awards in the field of Atmospheric Science & Technology; Ocean Science; Geoscience & Technology; and Ocean Technology/Polar Science, Two Young Researcher awards and Dr. Anna Mani National Award for Woman Scientist.

According to the MoES, this year the Life Time Excellence Award is being awarded to Prof. Ashok Sahni for his significant contribution in the field of Geology, Vertebrate Paleontology and Biostratigraphy. He obtained his MSc (Hons) in Geology from Lucknow University and PhD in Geology from the University of Minnesota. He was appointed lecturer at Lucknow University in 1968 and thereafter worked as Reader till 1979. He was Humboldt Research Fellow, Palaeontology Institute at the University Bonn (1977-78). He was Professor of Palaeobiology and In-charge, Scanning Electron Microscope Facilities, Centre of Advanced Study in Geology, Panjab University, Chandigarh (1979-2003) where he continues as be Emeritus Professor.

The National Award for Ocean Science & technology is being awarded to Dr. V. V. S. S. Sarma, Senior Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Vishakapatnam and Dr. M. Ravichandran, Director, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa. Dr. Sarma has made significant contributions in understanding biogeochemistry of the Indian Ocean. Dr. Ravichandran has led the Formulation and Execution of Indian Argo Project and Implementation of Ocean Data assimilation and Modelling for operational ocean services

BHU Geologist gets National Award

The National Award for Atmospheric Science & technology will be presented to Dr. S. Suresh Babu, Scientist-SF, VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram. He has made outstanding contributions towards understanding the radiative impacts of black carbon aerosols on atmospheric stability and climate.

The National Award for Ocean Technology will be presented to Dr. M. A. Atmanand, Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai. He has done pioneering work in the area of deep sea technologies.

Dr. Lidita D. S. Khandeparker, Senior Scientist, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa will receive the Anna Mani award for woman scientist. She has made significant contributions in the field of aquatic microbial ecology, Marine biofilms and their relevance in the oceans.

The Young Researcher Awards will be presented to Dr. Indra Sekhar Sen, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Dr. Arvind Singh Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad for their outstanding work in Earth System Science.