President Murmu Stresses Self-Reliance in Rare Earth Elements for National Security
India is urged to develop indigenous technology and strengthen geoscience research for sustainable growth.
President Droupadi Murmu emphasised the need for India to achieve self-reliance in the production of rare earth elements (REEs) during her address at the National Geoscience Awards 2024 in New Delhi on Friday. Highlighting the current geopolitical landscape, she stressed that self-sufficiency in REEs is critical for India’s ambition to become a developed nation and to bolster national security. REEs, a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements, are vital for modern technologies, including smartphones, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems.
Murmu noted that while REEs are not scarce, their identification and extraction involve complex processes. Developing indigenous techniques, she said, would simplify these challenges and reduce India’s dependence on foreign supplies. The President underscored the importance of REEs in driving advancements in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and clean energy technologies, which are pivotal for India’s economic and technological progress. She urged the geoscientist community to innovate and develop sustainable methods to harness these critical resources.
The President also praised the Ministry of Mines for its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the mining sector, including the adoption of AI, machine learning, and drone-based surveys to recover valuable elements from mine tailings. Murmu highlighted the sector’s role in promoting environmentally responsible practices while addressing the growing demand for critical minerals. She emphasised that such efforts align with India’s broader goals of economic growth and environmental stewardship.
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Additionally, Murmu called on geoscientists to prioritise research on natural disasters like floods, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis, which caused significant damage across India this year. She appealed for the development of technologies to provide timely alerts to the public, enhancing disaster preparedness. The National Geoscience Awards, instituted in 1966 by the Ministry of Mines, honour outstanding contributions in geosciences, recognising the field’s importance to India’s development.
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