Bhubaneswar: The Geological Survey of India (GSI), the premier geoscience organisation of the country, is entering the 175th year of its glorious service to the nation on Tuesday (4th March 2025). To mark this landmark event, a year-long celebration comprising a series of seminars, workshops, exhibitions, and other activities are being organised across the country. As a part of these activities, a nationwide walkathon by GSI was held on Sunday.
The State Unit of GSI organised a 3.5 km walkathon in Bhubaneswar in which around 400 participants including employees of GSI, their family members, members of sister organisations like NMDC, NALCO, IBM, CGWB, other Government organisations like IMMT, Department of Geology and Mining, Govt. of Odisha, students from Rajdhani College and Utkaluniversity and general public participated. A large number of retired GSI officers and staff participated in the event and encouraged young scientists.
The event was graced by the participation of Olympian Ms. Anuradha Biswal and international karate player Ms.Valena Valentina as its ambassadors.
In the address to the public, both of these sports personalities have praised the role of GSI for the society and particularly for Odisha, which is a mineral rich state and they emphasised on being fit always for the service of the nation. Pankaj Kumar, Deputy Director General, emphasised the role of GSI in the nation building and stressed upon the role of geoscience for a safe World, which is the tag line of this walkathon.
Dr. Ashit Kumar Swain, Director and Head of Office, conducted the programme and thanked all the participants for being a part of the Walkathon event. He also thanked NMDC, NALCO, Uco Bank and IGO for sponsoring this event.