The Society was formally inaugurated at New
Delhi on January 23, 1959 by Shri. K.D. Malaviya, the then Union Minister for
Mines and Oil, Government of India. Inaugurating the Society Shri Malaviya
stated .I need hardly tell you how indispensable geologists have
become for the various developments that are taking place in the world to make
mankind happy and prosperous. No engineering work or industrial project worth
the name can be conceived today without the basic help of a geologist; and the
more we advance in this modern age, the more we realise how fundamental
knowledge in the science of geology can help us to solve many problems of
humanity. Continuing, Shri. Malaviya said that a right step had been
taken to form the Geological Society of India to maintain a correct standard of
efficiency both for academic as well as for professional geologists. He
exhorted the Society to provide a forum for the cooperation, communication and
publication of the results of scientific work in the fields of Earth Science
and act as a catalyst for development.
Aims and Objectives :
The following are the cardinal aims and objectives of the Geological Society of India
as contained in the Memorandum and Constitution:
1. To promote the cause of advance study and research in all branches of Geology connected with India.
2. To cooperate with the existing Academics, Societies and Institutions having similar objects for the
advancement of Science in India and with such other associations when founded.
3. To promote the cause of geological research in India by the publication of a Journal.
4. To publish monographs, memoirs, transactions etc. dealing with special problems of Indian Geology.
5. To organise meetings and conferences for the discussion of subjects of geological interest and importance.
6. To represent internationally the scientific work of India in the field of geology.
7. To secure grants, funds and endowments and administer the same for the furtherance of geological study
and research in India.
8. To undertake and execute all other acts which shall promote the aims and objectives of the Society.
The benefits of the Society were made open to all, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.
From the beginning the Society clearly laid the policy that it shall be a non-profit organisation and the funds
and the income of the Society shall be solely utilised towards the achievement of the objectives and no portion
of it would be utilised for payment to members by way of profit, interest, bonus and dividend.
The Society accepts grants, donations, and subventions from Central and State Governments, Universities,
Industrial Organisations and Individuals. These funds will be utilised for any specific purpose for which they
may be earmarked by the donors in furtherance of the aims and objectives of the Society.
Membership :
The Society has three classes of membership: (1) Fellows, (2) Honorary Fellows and (3) Corporate Members.
Fellows :Every candidate for Fellowship is duly proposed and seconded by two Fellows of the Society and
further supported by at least one other Fellow. The Council of the Society is the final authority for admitting
new Fellows. There is an option for becoming Life Fellows.
Honarory Fellows :Persons who have made distinguished and outstanding contributions in any field of geology
shall be eligible for election as Honorary Fellows. The number of such Honorary Fellows shall be limited to 12.
Corporate Members :The Society has the power to admit Institutions and Organisations as Corporate Members on
such conditions as laid down by the Council.
Society Journal :
The activities of the Society have been vastly expanded. Its function immediately after it was founded was to
secure its most important objective of promoting the cause of geological study and research by bringing out a
Journal called the Journal of the Geological Society of India, containing results of the latest
researches and investigations in any branch of geology. Professor L. Rama Rao, the founder editor had envisaged
that the most effective way of achieving the objectives of the Society was by bringing out a Journal containing
the best work done in the country in geology and related fields. The first issue was brought out in 1959.Since
then, it has not missed a single issue or the time schedule of its publication. The Society has also been very
active in the publication field and has brought out bulletins, monographs, and memoirs. Symposia and workshops
on topics of current geological interest are held frequently to provide a common platform for the leading
workers to review and discuss the latest advances in the concerned field, with special reference to India.
The Journal, the main mouthpiece of the
Society, appeared at a time when the publication of research reports in the
field of earth science in India was sluggish for lack of a regular medium. That
was also the time when those seeking knowledge were on the increase but the
source from which they could draw sustenance had gone dry. The Journal thus
helped to fill a gap and provided a great fillip to the growth of earth science
studies in India. Thanks to the untiring efforts of Professor L. Rama Rao, his
sense of duty and his watchfulness in maintaining high standards, the Journal
of the Geological Society of India has come to be ranked as one of the leading
Earth Science Journals.
During the first five years of its inception
the Society brought out only one volume of the Journal every year. In July
1964, a Quarterly Bulletin was added with a view to provide a quick outlet for
the publication of Short Communications. From 1968 the Journal became a
half-yearly publication and from 1970 quarterly. This necessitated the
discontinuing of the Bulletin in 1969. A spurt of research activity in the
country necessitated making the Journal a monthly publication since 1977. This
has helped to great extent in providing a forum for the publication of research
work and in securing for the young workers much needed publicity and
recognition.
Future Outlook :
The Society has a long list of topics for
action. It includes focussing on excellence in earth science, preserving
integrity in science, promoting wider dissemination of scientific information,
establishing communication with fellow scientists of the world and working
towards building up a stronger edifice for earth science in India, so that the
benefits accruing reach the common man. For achieving these objectives of the
Society, there is need for sustained cooperation of the scientific community,
greater involvement of younger scientists, better understanding by the
administrators and a larger participation of Indian entrepreneurs and corporate
giants in the building of a strong scientific base.
The Society intends to broad-base its
membership in the coming years. Greater emphasis is to be given to resource mobilization.
The natural resources of the country are plentiful but inadequately explored
and utilised. There is far too much emphasis on export of minerals in the raw
state rather than finished products. There is an urgent need for providing a
common platform where academics of university departments and researchers of
institutions can meet managers of the industry and discuss problems of mutual
interest. The Society, therefore, extends its invitation to University
Departments teaching earth science, Research Institutes and Mining, Mineral and
Metallurgical Units in the public as well as private sector to enroll as
Corporate Members and extend their moral and financial support to the Society
in building up the resource potential of the country.
Popularisation of science by making people
mineral conscious will receive increasing attention. Protection of the
environment and educating our people on this aspect will be our main concern.
The minds of the young children at school level need to be exposed to geology.
This is very essential for making them appreciate the importance of natural
resources in the development of the country. The Society intends to take up the
matter at high level to see that the subject of geology is taught in our
schools. It proposes to take action in providing the required reading material
and maps.
The Society is also concerned with
conservations and scientific exploitation of mineral resources of the country
without degrading environment and balanced utilisation of groundwater with
particular attention to its recharge and better ways of utilising both surface
and groundwater resources for the benefit of all. The Society is also keen to
convey its views and play its role in matters of national mineral policy,
publication and availability of geological maps and reports by various Central
and State organisations, thrust in gold exploration, strong earth science data
base, research in earth science and aspects of secondary and higher education
in earth science.
It is our fervent hope that all individuals
and organisations who have been associated with research in earth science and
all those who have been greatly benefited by the exploitation of mineral
resources of the country, for the discovery of which earth scientists have laboured
hard, will respond to our call for moral and financial support so that the
Geological Society of India can remain an effective instrument for advancement
of knowledge about the earth, the augmentation of its natural resource and
protection of its environment, so vital for the survival of mankind on this
planet.
|