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New Delhi [India], September 26 (ANI): Amid global challenges, India’s self-reliance in the production of Rare Earth Elements (REE) is vital for national security and realising the vision of a developed nation, President Droupadi Murmu said during the National Geoscience Awards 2024 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

“Rare Earth Elements are the backbone of modern technology. They power everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to defence systems and clean energy solutions. Given the current geopolitical situation, India must become self-reliant in their production,” she said.

The President also underlined that REEs are considered rare not because they are scarce, but because the process of refining them and making them usable is extremely complex also stated that developing indigenous technology to accomplish this complex process would be a major contribution to the national interest, according to the President’s Secretariat press release.

She made this statement during the National Geoscience Awards-2024 ceremony, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. The National Geoscience Awards, instituted by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India in 1966, recognise individuals and teams for extraordinary achievements and outstanding contributions in various fields of geosciences, such as mineral discovery & exploration, fundamental and applied geosciences, mining and allied areas.

This year, 20 eminent geoscientists were honoured with 12 awards under three categories: the National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement (one award), the National Young Geoscientist Award (one award), and the National Geoscience Awards (ten awards across various fields of geosciences).

The National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement 2024 was conferred on Prof Shyam Sundar Rai, Senior Scientist at INSA and Visiting Professor at IISER Pune, for his pioneering contributions to Solid Earth and Exploration Geophysics, including seismic research across Peninsular India, the western Himalayas, and Ladakh.

The National Young Geoscientist Award was presented to Susobhan Neogi, Senior Geologist at GSI, for his work on the tectonic evolution of mobile and thrust belts in Meghalaya and Jharkhand, advancing knowledge of supercontinent assembly and mineral genesis.

Instituted in 1966 by the Ministry of Mines, the National Geoscience Awards honour individuals and teams for extraordinary achievements in mineral discovery, exploration, applied and fundamental geosciences, mining, and allied areas. This year, 20 eminent geoscientists were honoured with 12 awards across three categories.

The event was attended by Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy, Ministry of Mines Secretary Piyush Goyal, Geological Survey of India (GSI) Director General Asit Saha, and other senior officials.

In her remarks, President Murmu underlined the importance of minerals in shaping human civilisation and modern industry. She called on geoscientists to harness ocean-based mineral resources responsibly while minimising ecological impact. Stressing the significance of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), she said India must become self-reliant in their production to ensure national security and technological growth.

The President also emphasised sustainable practices, urging the use of advanced technologies such as AI, drone surveys, and mine tailing recovery to add value and minimise waste. She said the awards remain a symbol of excellence, encouraging innovation and advancing India’s mineral security.

In his address, Mines Secretary Goyal outlined the reforms introduced under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to streamline mineral auctions and boost transparency. Minister Reddy congratulated the awardees and emphasised that geoscience will be central to achieving a Viksit Bharat by 2047. (ANI)

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NewsVoir

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 26: KLAY Preschools and Daycare proudly announces the launch of KLAYEdge™, its pioneering early years curriculum designed to prepare children not just for school, but for life and the future. Rooted in over 14 years of expertise in early childhood education, KLAYEdge™ brings together global pedagogical approaches inspired by Multiple Intelligences (Howard Gardner) and the Reggio Emilia philosophy, while being firmly aligned with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) and National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

The curriculum is crafted to nurture holistic development in a child’s most formative years. It builds strong foundations in early literacy and numeracy, while fostering independence, confidence, and values. At the same time, KLAYEdge™ equips children with essential 21st-century skills, including critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving and ensuring they are both school-ready and life-ready.

With particular emphasis on literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and life skills in the 3-6 years stage, KLAYEdge™ ensures a seamless transition into India’s leading schools. The program has already demonstrated a remarkable success rate, with 99.9% of children securing admissions into top schools across the country.

Speaking on the launch, Arshleen Kaur Kalra, Head of Academics at KLAY, said, “With KLAYEdge, we reaffirm our belief that children need more than academic readiness to truly succeed. Our curriculum not only equips them for school but also prepares them for life — nurturing confidence, compassion, and curiosity, along with the skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world. By keeping the child at the heart of every experience, we ensure that learning unfolds naturally while laying strong foundations in academics, values, and essential life skills.”

Offering a carefully structured progression across six developmental stages from infants as young as five months to kindergarteners at six years, KLAYEdge directly addresses key parental concerns about their child’s educational journey. The curriculum strikes the perfect balance between structured learning and purposeful play, ensuring that every activity contributes meaningfully to a child’s development. By going beyond academics, it fosters purposeful learning that builds independence, resilience, creativity, and empathy, while integrating STEAM exposure and value-based growth into everyday activities.

Incorporating hands-on STEAM learning, value-based education, and socio-emotional skill development from day one, KLAYEdge ensures children develop the confidence and adaptability needed for daily tasks and future challenges. Its future-ready pathways are rooted in the NEP and NCF, aligned with global benchmarks, offering a world-class curriculum that is deeply rooted in Indian excellence yet preparing children for success anywhere in the world.

Beyond academic preparation, KLAYEdge anticipates and addresses the holistic needs of modern families by fostering social-emotional growth through guided group activities and collaborative projects. With its premium care and nurturing culture, the curriculum promotes balanced growth and a global outlook, blending academics with values, resilience, and creativity. Parents remain actively engaged through regular progress updates, detailed reports, and app notifications, ensuring complete transparency in their child’s developmental journey.

What makes KLAYEdge distinctive is that it is not static, it is a dynamic framework, continuously refined with insights from experts, teachers, and parents to remain relevant and effective in a rapidly evolving world. Trusted by over 70,000 parents across India, KLAYEdge reflects KLAY’s mission to nurture confident learners and bright futures, helping parents find reassurance in their child’s growth journey.

KLAY Preschools and Daycare stand apart as more than just a childcare provider — it is a learning institution that nurtures curiosity, creativity, and confidence in every child. With over 14 years of expertise and the trust of 70,000+ parents, KLAY is committed to fostering a lifelong love for learning during the most formative years.

Today, KLAY has a strong presence with 170+ centres across 20+ cities in India, supported by 400+ corporate partnerships and powered by a passionate workforce of 3,500+ educators and caregivers. Since its inception in 2012, KLAY has been dedicated to creating heartfelt, holistic learning experiences that shape compassionate, confident, and future-ready young learners.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)