The Society of Earth Scientists
An IYPE-2008 Initiative
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, India 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. To reach scientific community, students and common people alike SES 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.
This initiative from India to meet the objective of IYPE invited lot of attention, encouragement and appreciation across the Globe during. In an article on Earth Science India published in journal of Environmental Geology the Honorary Editor of the e-Journal and General Secretary, SES 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 conferences and meetings wherein eminent citizens, apart from scientists, were also invited to share their views and expectations from earth scientists as 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 and 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, Geological Survey of India; 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. IUGS published about ESI and extended support. Our sincere gratitude to all.
For details about the programmes organized by SES please visit “Event” and “Photo Gallery”.