The Society of Earth Scientists (SES)

           International Year of Planet Earth-2008 called for the integration of all the domains of earth sciences to understand Earth processes as a whole and to popularize the importance of earth sciences within the society and encourage young brains to take up career in earth sciences. Keeping these objectives in mind, some enthusiastic earth scientists from Geological Survey of India and Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow launched India’s first open access quarterly e-Journal Earth Science India- www.earthscienceindia.info on 26th January’08, an e-Journal devoted for the development of earth sciences. They also founded “The Society of Earth Scientists (SES)”, a not for profit scientific organization registered under ‘Societies Act’ for closer interaction among the scientists of all the domains and to encourage them to devote time for outreach activities. Open & Free Access quarterly e-Journal Earth Science India, first of its kind from India, started publishing peer-reviewed primary research/review papers from all the domains: geophysics, geology, atmospheric science, oceanography, soil and environmental science, popular articles, gallery of photos of geo-scientific interests, News items also containing organization of earth science events, seminars, conferences etc. as our outreach efforts. All publications in the e-Journal were free of charge. ESI was launched for rapid exchange of researches and ideas between the widespread community of earth scientists and also to promote awareness about 'Science of Earth' among students and common public.

           This initiative from India invited lot of attention and appreciation across the Globe during IYPE. In an article on Earth Science India published in journal of Environmental Geology the Honorary Editor of the e-Journal Dr. Satish C. Tripathi wrote ‘Earth Science is a multidisciplinary subject where scientists belonging to entirely different branches of science work for the common cause. Advanced research vis-à-vis social impact requires mutual cooperation, support, understanding and unity among scientists. “We must join hands together for safer earth”- is the motto of The (newly constituted) Society of Earth Scientists (SES). This is not only true for the scientists of various disciplines but also for the scientists working in developed and developing countries worldwide. We have to strengthen this bonding and carry the message beyond the designated period.’ (Environmental Geology ,Volume 55, Number 8, 1835-1836, DOI: 10.1007/s00254-008-1398-6). Several national and International organizations started providing links with the e-Journal.

While on one hand the publication of e-Journal Earth Science India continued on a regular basis and flourished, SES got strength by the support of earth science community, organized national level conference and meetings wherein eminent citizens, apart from scientists, were also invited to share their views and expectations from earth scientists as of common man’s needs. Now, SES has developed strong footing continuing to meet its objective. The movement was further strengthened when Dr. Shailesh Nayak, eminent scientist and Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India accepted to be the Patron of SES while Sri Rasik Ravindra, a noted polar scientist and Director, National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa, India took over as Chairman of SES. The Society of Earth Scientists received valuable guidance and support of Dr Harsh Gupta, Chairman, IYPE Indian Committee, Prof. S. K. Tandon, Pro-VC, Delhi University, Dr. N. C. Mehrotra, Director, Birbal Sahani Institute of Palaeobotany, Dr. V. P. Dimri, Director, National Geophysical Research Institute, Dr. V.P. Mishra, Dr. S. Mukerjee, Directors, GSI, Prof. A.R.Bhattacharya, Lucknow, Prof. L.S.Chamyal, Baroda, Prof. R. Ramesh, PRL, Ahmedabad, Dr. M. Baba, Director, CESS, …… an endless list of senior and fellow earth scientists who came forward to make this a mass movement at an early stage. On an International level, Dr. Ed F.J. de Mulder, Executive Director, IYPE and Dr Ted Neiled, Chair, Outreach IYPE Programmes provided their valuable support.

         SES organized a brain storming meeting of earth scientists at GSI auditorium on 17 September’2008, a National Conference on ‘Earth System Processes and Disaster Management’ from 15-17, September’09 at Goa jointly with National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, book release at BSIP, Lucknow on 8th June, 2009 and Hyderabad and Baroda on 20th August, 2010. See our album of photos and news coverage.

Brain Storming meeting of Earth Scientists, GSI Auditorium, Lucknow (17th September’08)

Book release function at Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany auditorium, Lucknow on 8th June’09. (L-R) Dr. Satish C. Tripathi, Hon. Secretary, SES; Dr. N. C. Mehrotra, Director, BSIP; Sri R.K.Singh, Dy. DG, G.S.I., Sri S.B.Sexena, GM, HAL, and Prof. A. R. Bhattacharya, Lucknow University.

National Conference on ‘Earth System Processes and Disaster Management’ from 15-17, September’09 at Goa

Book release during the ISAG Foundation Day Celebration, NGRI, Hyderabad. (L-R) Dr. V. Balram, NGRI; Dr. V. P. Dimri, Guest Editor and Director, GERMI, Gujarat; Dr. Harsh Gupta, President, Geological Society of India; Prof. T.T.Rao, V.C., Osmania University; Dr. K.K. Dwivedy, President, ISAG releasing the book.

Book Release during the National Workshop on “Geobiology and microsediment interaction” at MS University, Baroda. Book was released by Prof. Ramesh K Goyal, V.C., MS University, Baroda (second from L) jointly with Prof. V. Rajamani, JNU (third from L). Prof. L.S.Chamyal, Guest Editor (second from R).

Dr. Satish C. Tripathi, Honorary Secretary, SES delivering invited talk to students of ISM, Dhanbad.