Bengaluru: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) organised a Walkathon in Bengaluru on Sunday as part of its 175th-anniversary celebrations. Themed “Geoscience for a Safe World,” the event aimed to raise awareness about the role of geosciences in public safety, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

Around 380 participants, including GSI officials, their families, students, geoscientists, and representatives from key organisations, took part in the event. The Walkathon started from Gate No. 4 of GSI’s Vasudha Bhawan, Kumaraswamy Layout, passed through Sarakki Signal, and concluded at Gate No. 5 of Vasudha Bhawan.

Several dignitaries from the sports and scientific communities were present. R. Vijay Kumar, Deputy Director General, GSI (Karnataka & Goa Unit), welcomed guests, including Atal Awardee Bharathi B.L., former Karnataka softball and baseball player K.R. Ashok Kumar, Parvathi Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Ramachandra Nirvaneshwar, Nandaini Anandani, K.V. Krishnamurthy (Secretary, Geological Society of India), and M.G. Murugan (Scientific Officer ‘G’, Atomic Minerals Directorate).

Debkumar Bhattacharya, Deputy Director General & HoD, Remote Sensing and Aerial Surveys, delivered the inaugural address, stressing the importance of public awareness on geoscience applications. C.S. Verma, Deputy Director General, Geophysical Division, highlighted GSI’s role in mineral exploration, geohazard assessments, and geoscientific research.

Addressing the gathering, R. Vijay Kumar spoke about GSI’s contributions to India’s natural resource policies since its inception in 1851. He emphasised the significance of geoscience in infrastructure resilience, disaster risk mitigation, and sustainable urban planning.

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Ahmedabad (PTI): Skipper Suryakumar Yadav's poor run with the bat continued but India still managed a massive 231 for 5 thanks to Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya's blazing half-centuries and Sanju Samson's useful contribution at the top in the fifth and final T20 International here on Saturday.

Samson, who opened the batting in place of the injured vice-captain Shubman Gill, struck a 22-ball 37 and shared a 63-run stand with Abhishek Sharma (34 off 21 balls) as the hosts, leading the series 2-1, were off to a fine start.

Abhishek and later Samson's dismissals did not slow down the momentum as Varma (73 off 42 balls) continued to play his natural game even as Suryakumar (5) departed without making much of a contribution.

Varma and Hardik Pandya (63 off 25 balls) then shared a 115-run stand for the fourth wickets to carry the team past the 200-run mark, with the latter hammering five boundaries and as many sixes at a strike rate of over 250.

Earlier, India included pacer Jasprit Bumrah in place of Harshit Rana, while Washington Sundar came in for Kuldeep Yadav. Samson was included in place of Shubman Gill.

Brief scores.

India 231 for 5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Sharma 34, Sanju Samson 37, Tilak Varma 73, Hardik Pandya 63; Corbin Bosch 2/44).