30th International Geological Congress (IGC) Beijing China 1996 Ritesh Arya with Dr VC Thakur

 

With Dr. V.C. Thakur, Wadia, and other Indian delegates at the International Geological Congress, Beijing, China, 1996. (Note: My badge says 'Prof. Ashok Sahni'—I was a student at the time and had no scholarship. To avoid registration fees, I used his name as he had already paid but wasn't attending.)

My presentation focused on a conceptual model to explain the occurrence and movement of groundwater across the entire Hindu-Kush Himalayas. I had coined the term 'Hydrostratigraphic Zonation,' and the session was chaired by John E. Moore, President of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). During my talk, I confidently stated that groundwater could be provided at any peak below 8,848 meters, provided the geological conditions were right.

Moore, slightly uneasy, referred to the work of U.S. hydrogeologists working in Pakistan and Afghanistan. I pointed out a discrepancy in the hydrogeological cycle on the title cover of their report, which made him visibly irritated. However, after acknowledging the omission, he assured me that it would be corrected in the next edition.

Following my presentation, he made me an honorary member of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). Prof. K.P. Singh from my department was also present at that session. It was an experience I truly enjoyed.

Years later, I was appointed as a member of the Working Group at the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee. To my surprise, I found the same hydrogeological cycle cover, with the same discrepancy I had pointed out, on their annual report—a stark reminder of how some critical details can slip through the cracks, even after being acknowledged.