Chhattisgarh GSI unit celebrates 175th foundation day with walkathon and exhibition in Raipur

RAIPUR: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), founded in 1851, marked its 175th Foundation Day with elaborate celebrations beginning Sunday at its State Unit office in Raipur.
The festivities commenced with a walkathon under the theme "Geoscience for a Safe World," focusing on promoting awareness regarding the significance of geoscience in worldwide sustainability.
GSI, among India's earliest scientific institutions, was instrumental in geological studies, mineral discovery, and disaster prevention. The organisation's distinguished legacy includes substantial contributions to the nation's industrial development through discoveries of essential minerals, including coal, iron ore, and copper.
Chhattisgarh, endowed with abundant mineral wealth, is essential to the nation's mineral resources, containing substantial deposits of tin ore, bauxite, iron ore, coal, and additional minerals.
The state's GSI unit enabled the auctioning of several valuable mineral blocks, notably India's first lithium block, fostering industrial growth and technological progress.
The inauguration by Amit Dharwadkar, Deputy Director General, on March 2 featured a walkathon themed "Geoscience for a Safe World," highlighting geoscience's role in global sustainability.
The 3-kilometre walk from GSI's Rohinipuram office attracted approximately 100 participants, including GSI staff, their families, retired employees, postgraduate geology students, and local residents.
The Foundation Day celebrations will conclude on March 4 with a public exhibition at the GSI office, displaying the organisation's expertise and notable achievements in geological mapping and mineral exploration. The exhibition welcomes visitors from 10 am to 6 pm.