Jamshedpur, May 12, 2020: Tata Steel, today, commemorated the 165th birth anniversary of the pioneering geologist Pramatha Nath Bose. In view of the lockdown and social distancing norms, the gesture of homage was performed digitally by employees of the Company.
On the occasion, a webinar on the ‘Role of Mining in Achieving a 5 trillion Economy’ by S. K. Adhikari, Chief Mining Geologist, Indian Bureau of Mines, Government of India, was organised. The Company also hosted an e-exhibition titled ‘Rock Show’ and a podcast on the life and achievements of P. N. Bose.
D. B. Sundara Ramam, Vice President (Raw Materials), Tata Steel, remarked: “P N Bose was an outstanding Geologist. His geological findings have been instrumental in shaping the industrial journey of India.”
R Rabi Prasad, President, Tata Workers` Union, in his message said: “During this crisis of Coronavirus, it is great that we are using digital media to remember our heroes. On the birth anniversary of P N Bose, I would like to remember and thank him for his contribution to not only Tata Steel but also Jamshedpur and the entire Nation. He will always remain in our hearts.”
Born on May 12, 1855 in a remote village of Gaipur, in 24 Parganas district, West Bengal, geologist P N Bose graduated in Science from London University and passed out from the Royal School of Mines in 1878. During his years as geologist, he discovered iron ore mines in Dhulli and Rajhara in Madhya Pradesh. The most outstanding achievement of his life was the discovery of iron ore deposits in the hills of Gorumahisani in the state of Mayurbhanj. Following the discovery, P N Bose wrote a letter to J N Tata (Founder of Tata Steel) on February 24, 1904 which led to the establishment of Tata Iron and Steel Company at Sakchi on August 26, 1907.
P N Bose has several firsts to his credit. He was the first Indian graduate in science from a British University; first to discover petroleum in Assam; first to set up a soap factory in India and also the first to introduce micro sections as an aid to petrological work. He was also the first Indian to hold a graded position in the Geological Survey of India where he served with distinction. As a man of science, he had constantly taken up the cause of technical education in the country. His efforts also catalysed the foundation of the Bengal Technical Institute which is better known as the Jadavpur University today of which Bose was the first honorary Principal.
