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President Murmu Honours Top Geoscientists; Calls for a National Mission on Sustainable Mining and Rare Earths
President Droupadi Murmu, while presenting the National Geoscience Awards-2024, delivered a powerful message on India's future. She called for a balance between mining-led development and environmental protection, urging geoscientists to innovate for sustainable mining. The key highlight was her urgent call for India to become self-reliant in Rare Earth Elements (REEs), the little-known but vital components powering our modern world, framing it as a matter of national security and economic sovereignty.
New Delhi: In a significant address at Rashtrapati Bhavan today, President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, conferred the National Geoscience Awards-2024 to the nation's brightest minds in the field. Going beyond just accolades, she outlined a clear vision for how geoscience must steer India's economic growth while safeguarding its natural treasures.
Her speech underscored two critical missions for the country: achieving sustainable development in mining and securing self-reliance in the strategically vital Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
The Double-Edged Sword of Mining
President Murmu began by acknowledging the foundational role of minerals in human history. "From the Stone Age to our current Industrial Age, minerals have been the bedrock of progress," she noted.
While highlighting that the mining sector is a massive engine for economic growth and employment, she spoke candidly about its adverse effects. "We cannot ignore the displacement of residents, deforestation, and pollution of our air and water," the President stated firmly. She called for strict adherence to all regulations and responsible mine closure practices to protect both people and wildlife, setting a tone of "Development without Destruction."
Decoding the Hype: What Are Rare Earth Elements?
The most crucial part of the President's address focused on a group of 17 metals you've likely never heard of but use every single day: Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
Think of them as the vitamins of modern technology-needed in small amounts, but absolutely essential.
- Neodymium is in the powerful, lightweight magnets that run electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and your smartphone's speakers.
- Lanthanum is used in high-quality camera lenses and telescopes.
- Europium creates the vibrant red colour on your TV and phone screens.
President Murmu clarified a common misconception: "They are considered 'rare' not because they are scarce, but because the process of refining them...is extremely complex." Currently, this complex process is dominated by a few countries, creating a major global dependency. The President stressed that for India's national security-from defence systems to satellites-and its goal of becoming a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India), breaking this dependency is non-negotiable.
What This Means for India and You
The President's vision isn't just a high-level policy goal; it has real-world implications for every Indian.
More 'Make in India' Jobs: Developing our own REE processing industry will create thousands of high-skilled jobs in science, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.
Stable Prices for Gadgets: Domestic production can help shield Indian consumers from global supply chain shocks and price fluctuations for everything from laptops to electric scooters.
A Greener Future: India's ambitious climate goals-like having more electric vehicles and solar power-depend heavily on a steady supply of REEs. Self-reliance means we can accelerate our green transition on our own terms.
National Security: It ensures our defence and space programs are not vulnerable to the geopolitical whims of other nations.
The President praised the Ministry of Mines for already embracing technology like AI and drones and for its initiatives to recover valuable elements from mining waste, showcasing that the work has already begun.
Key Questions Answered (FAQ)
Why is sustainable mining so important?
It ensures we can use our natural resources for development today without destroying the environment and leaving nothing for future generations. It's about finding a smart balance.
Are Rare Earth Elements really that important?
Yes, absolutely. Without them, most of our modern high-tech life-from green energy to advanced medical equipment and defence technology-would not be possible.
How will this affect me personally?
In the long run, it could mean more stable prices for electronics, new job opportunities in emerging tech fields, and the pride of using products truly 'Made in India'.
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