The first ever online GeoQuiz was jointly organised by the Krishnanunni Memorial Charitable Trust and Department of Geology, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong today from 11 am onwards.
This programme was organised to pay tribute to Kalathinkal Krishnanunni, former Director General, Geological Survey of India (GSI), who has immensely contributed towards mineral and energy resources of North East region and preparation of development of village economy maps (DOVE Map).
The inaugural session started with the welcome address by the Prof. Devesh Walia, Head of the Department of Geology, NEHU, Shillong who mentioned that North East India represents “Geology in a nutshell” and has almost all the metallogenic provinces and epochs, and therefore has great potential and mineral wealth which needs to be explored in the interest of our great nation. He inspired the young generation to pursue their career in the field of Geological Sciences and contribute towards nation building.
Dr. Shailesh Nayak, President, Krishnanunni Memorial Charitable Trust; Director NIAS Bangalore, India and Chancellor, TERI-School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi addressed the gathering on this momentous occasion. In his inaugural address, he stressed on the importance of geosciences for the development of the society and to improve the economy of the nation.
Dr. Nayak also emphasised that geoscience is important in securing our world’s demand for energy, building infrastructure, advancing science and technology, sustaining the global food supply, predicting, and reacting to natural disasters and everything in between.
The quiz competition was conducted by Dr. Shikhar Kumar and Prof. Devesh Walia successfully amongst the 150+ registered participants from north-eastern states of India and the results were declared in the valedictory session. The quiz had questions to promote geosciences among the students of the North East region.
Deputy Director General and HOD of Geological Survey of India, North-East Region, Dr. J Rajeswar was also present and in his address, he spoke about the numerous contributions of Krishnanunni in his 36 years long career in GSI and his life-time contributions in promoting remote sensing activities in the country. He proposed to give the wholehearted support for development of the Department of Geology in North-Eastern Hill University.
In his valedictory address, Dr. Anupendu Gupta, Vice President, Krishnanunni Memorial Charitable Trust highlighted noteworthy contributions of Krishnanunni and wished the very best to all the participants for their future endeavours while congratulating the winners and conveyed greater motivation and energy to all youth of this country so that they can help improve our nation and society.
Cash prizes were awarded to the top three rank holders (First – T. Sumit Singha of Cotton University, Guwahati – Rs 15,000, Second – Anshuman Konwar of St. Antony’s College, Shillong – Rs 10,000 and Third – Kaushik Baishya of Arya Vidyapeeth College, Guwahati – Rs 5,000) with proficiency certificates and all other participants were awarded with the certificate of participation using the online mode.
