Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on Friday underlined the need for smart mining, critical minerals and green energy to strengthen India’s journey towards self-reliance, saying the sector must balance technology, environmental protection and community interests.
Addressing the inauguration of an Industry–Institute Interaction Conclave and Exhibition on “Smart Mining, Critical Minerals and Green Energy: A Necessity for Atmanirbhar Bharat” at Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, the Governor said the event, organised during the institute’s centenary year, reflected the growing convergence of knowledge, research and industry.
He described the conclave, held with the support of Vijnana Bharati, CSIR–Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research and Techsmin, as a strong step towards deepening industry–academia collaboration.
The Governor said IIT (ISM), Dhanbad, has played a vital role in nation-building for nearly a century, particularly in mining, geosciences and energy, forming the backbone of India’s industrial growth. Bringing together experts from education, science, industry and policy-making on a common platform, he said, was especially meaningful at a time when mineral security and sustainable energy have become strategic priorities.
Highlighting Jharkhand’s mineral wealth, he said the state’s coal, iron ore, bauxite and other resources provide a strong foundation for the country’s energy security, infrastructure development and manufacturing sector. For a mineral-rich state like Jharkhand, discussions on smart mining and critical minerals were of special relevance, he added.
The Governor stressed that mining activities must increasingly adopt modern technology while ensuring environmental safeguards and protecting the interests of local communities. Such a balanced approach, he said, was essential to ensure development that is sustainable, equitable and inclusive.
Referring to national priorities, he said India was moving ahead under the leadership of the Prime Minister with the resolve of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. In this journey, he noted, educational institutions and young minds would play a decisive role.
Institutions like IIT (ISM), he said, are key centres of innovation and research where future technologies will take shape. When knowledge is aligned with the spirit of nation-building, talent becomes a powerful driver of positive and lasting change.
Expressing hope that the deliberations would translate into concrete outcomes, the Governor said the ideas and commitments emerging from the conclave could provide new direction to India’s industrial and energy sectors.