Curious minds at the Institute
On March 3, 2025, a group of enthusiastic students from Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Paonta Sahib, visited the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, for an enlightening lecture by Dr. Naresh Kumar on Earthquake Hazards and Mitigation Measures. The session covered the causes and impacts of earthquakes, early warning systems, and strategies for preparedness. Students had the opportunity to explore the institute’s advanced seismic monitoring equipment, gaining practical experience in earthquake research. The visit sparked curiosity and raised awareness about disaster resilience, motivating the students to pursue scientific careers. This educational initiative deepened their understanding of geology and the importance of earthquake mitigation in seismic-prone regions such as the Himalayas.
Awards & Honours
Dr. Som Dutt has been honored with the prestigious Dr. J.G. Negi Young Scientist Award by the Indian Geophysical Union (IGU) for his significant contributions to the field of Earth Sciences.
Ms. Kalyani Kurukula has been awarded the Anni Talwani Memorial Grant for Young Women Researcher 2024, recognizing her dedication to scientific research.
Ms. Priya Maurya received the Best Poster Presentation Award 2024 for her research on “Assessing the Role of Active Tectonics on Landslide Distribution in the Yamne Valley, Arunachal Pradesh.”
These awards were presented during the 61st Annual Convention of IGU, held at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, from December 3-5, 2024.
On September 17th, 2024, the IGU-Wadia Students Chapter proudly hosted its inaugural talk series, featuring Prof. Laxman Singh Chamyal as the keynote speaker. Prof. Chamyal, the former Head of the Department of Geology at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, is renowned for his exceptional contributions to the fields of Quaternary geology and neotectonics. This talk aimed to bridge young researchers and students at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology with Prof. Chamyal’s extensive knowledge, providing insights into his work and vision.
His lecture, titled “Inversion Tectonics and Geomorphic Development in the Cambay and Kachchh Sedimentary Basins during the Quaternary,” captivated the audience for 40 minutes, sparking curiosity and leaving the auditorium enlightened. In the presence of Prof. Mahesh Thakkar, Director of WIHG, Prof. Chamyal also inaugurated the official IGU-Wadia webpage, hosted on the Wadia Institute’s website.
Following the lecture, Prof. Thakkar addressed the audience, sharing his thoughts on the insightful talk. Dr. Devajit Hazarika graciously delivered the vote of thanks, commending the IGU-Wadia team for their excellent organization of the event.
The event was proficiently coordinated by Priya Maurya, with Debonil Baruah and Devanshu Ghildiyal managing the program schedule and honorary videos, supported by Riya Singh and Himanshi Ghildiyal. Kalyani Kurakula gracefully anchored the event. Shivyank Singh Negi, along with Rakesh Kumar Parida, Sourabh Anand, and other IGU members, ensured a seamless experience for the chief guest and other dignitaries in the auditorium, successfully fulfilling one of the chapter’s key objectives.
