About Dr. P S Ranawat

Dr. Pushpendra Singh Ranawat was born at Gogunda village (24˚ 46’N: 73º 32′ E), Udaipur district, Rajasthan, on July 06, 1947. He was brought up and received education in Udaipur. He had his schooling at the newly opened St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School Udaipur, from where he did his Higher Secondary in 1962. He graduated in science (B. Sc. TDC) in 1965 from the Maharana Bhopal College affiliated to the newly established Udaipur University. He obtained his master’s degree (M. Sc., Geology) from the Rajasthan University Department of Geology, Udaipur in 1967 followed by M. Sc. Tech. (Applied Geology) degree in 1968, obtaining +75% marks and standing first in the order of merit.

Dr. P. S. Ranawat commenced his research work in the year 1969 as a CSIR Junior Research Fellow and worked for Ph.D. thesis on the Fluorspar Deposits of Rajasthan at the University Department of Geology, Udaipur. He joined the faculty in the same institution in the year 1971. He was promoted as Associate Professor in the year 1987 and Professor in May 2001.Head of the Department, November 1998-November 2001 He was member of the Board of Management (BoM) of M. L. Sukhadia University, Udaipur for the term 2001-2002 & again up to 2003 ; and Dean Students’ Welfare w.e.f 01.08.2002 through 31.7.2007. Member, for the term 2002-2003, of the Subject Committee on Earth and Atmosphere Sciences of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi for its Swarnajayanti Fellowship Scheme, that awards Fellowships & Research Grants to young scientists in the age group of 30-40 years. Chairman Sports Board, MLS University during the period 30.08.2003 through 31.7.2007; University nominee on the Board of Management & Selection Committee of teachers for BN Institutions, Udaipur since May 2004. Member of the “University Building Committee and Chairman of the Building Sub-Committee” w.e.f. 31.03.2005 for a term of two years. Member of the “Exploration and Research Advisory Committee for Western Region of Atomic Mineral Division (AMD)”, Government of India, Hyderabad for the term of three years w.e.f. 28.04.2005. Postgraduate teaching and field training of M. Sc. Tech (Applied Geology) students were the main professional responsibilities of the faculty posts. Realizing the importance of host rock petrologic studies of the mineral deposits, Dr. Ranawat started research work on this aspect as Principal Investigator of research projects sponsored by UGC & the state DST. Guiding of of the mineral resources of Rajasthan.

Over the years, Prof. P. S. Ranawat has made significant contribution in understanding the genesis of several mineral deposits in Rajasthan viz. fluorspar, asbestos, scheelite, lead-zinc, rock phosphate, emerald. The holistic genetic evaluations include the study of host rock petrology, fluid inclusions, and mineralization structures & textures. Additionally, the granulometric studies for process technology of the complex lead-zinc ores and rock phosphate has helped in better utilization strategy for these strategic resources. Prof. Ranawat has successfully disseminated his research contributions through journal publications, participation in National and International Conferences in India and abroad, and the Internet. He has successfully promoted entrepreneurial culture amongst science students in general and geology students in particular.

During the first decade of this century, Prof. Ranawat made impressive contributions, especially through the Internet publications mainly for students. The website development of Department of Geology (www.geolmlsu.org, 2000 now defunct) and www.geologydata.info, 2003, are indeed pioneering effort of contemporary significance. Equally important contribution has been regarding organization of various entrepreneurial development programs in which over 300 unemployed students were trained since 1995.