Koral ‘Purnoor’, Democratic Front, Chandigarh – 06 November:
Prof. Gurmeet Kaur, Department of Geology, Panjab University, delivers Distinguished Public Lecture on ‘The Saga of Laterite’ at 89th Annual Meeting of Indian Academy of Sciences
Prof. Gurmeet Kaur, faculty from the Department of Geology at Panjab University, Chandigarh, and the Chair of the Subcommission on Heritage Stones (HSS) of International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), was invited to deliver a prestigious public lecture at the 89th Annual Meeting of the Indian Academy of Sciences. The annual meeting took place at the BITS Pilani Goa Campus and was jointly co-hosted by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa.Scholars who have delivered public lectures in earlier meetings of the Academy include T. Jacob John, ShyamBenegal, C. Rangarajan, NandanNilekani, AdoorGopalakrishnan, Sir Mark Tully, U.R. Ananthamurthy, Ramachandra Guha, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, K Srinath Reddy, ShabanaAzmi, SonalMansingh, Justice J. Chelameswar, Jairam Ramesh, C Jagadish, Thomas Pradeu, Arunabha Ghosh and P Sainath.
Prof. Gurmeet Kaur, who works on heritage stones, presented a lecture on ‘The Saga of Laterite.’ Laterite, a unique geological formation predominantly found in tropical regions, holds significance due to its applications in renowned monuments all along the western Ghat region of India. The event, held on 4th November 2023, gathered prominent scientists, researchers, and academicians and teachers from across the nation. Prof. Kaur’s lecture elaborated on the geological aspects of laterite, its historical importance, and its contemporary relevance.
She and her team have brought international recognition to four Indian stones of eminence (Makrana Marble, Jaisalmer Limestone, Deccan Basalt, and Alwar Quartzite) with designation as IUGS-Heritage Stones:
About Prof. Gurmeet Kaur
Prof. Gurmeet Kaur works with the Department of Geology at Panjab University, Chandigarh. She serves as the Chair of the IUGS Subcommission on Heritage Stones and has made significant contributions to the understanding of stone built architectural heritage. She is also a co-leader of IGCP-UNESCO Project on identifying Heritage Stones from emerging nations.
About the Indian Academy of Sciences
The Indian Academy of Sciences is a prestigious scientific institution that promotes scientific research and knowledge exchange among scientists and researchers in India. The annual meeting is a platform for intellectuals to collaborate and share their findings in various scientific disciplines.
About BITS Pilani Goa Campus
BITS Pilani Goa Campus is one of the premier institutions for higher education in India, known for its contributions to science and technology. It hosts various academic and research activities, providing an ideal environment for scientific gatherings and discussions.
About NCPOR and NIO
The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) are leading research organizations in India, specializing in polar and ocean research. Their joint involvement in the annual meeting added depth and diversity to the scientific discussions.
