New Delhi, Nov. 12: Scientists and professors from across the country are presenting their papers on "global warming" in Hindi at the 16th National Scientific Hindi Seminar, which opened here today.

Inaugurating the seminar, V.L. Chopra, member of the Planning Commission, lauded the efforts of the Ministry to popularise the "Rashtrabhasha" (or national language) by organising such a seminar every year.

He expressed the hope that rich contribution made by the several speakers would help people to understand the important issues related to global warming.

Addressing the gathering, B.C. Mandal, Director (Official Language) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, emphasised the need for propagating the use of Hindi by the Union Ministries.

He appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Earth Sciences for making the seminar an annual event and also the publication of the proceedings in the form of a book.

Sixteen scientists and professors of various scientific and research organisations from across the country participated in the seminar organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

The best three presentations were awarded with cash prizes.

Earlier, Dr P. S. Goel, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, in his welcome address congratulated the winners of Prithvi Vigyan Mantralaya Maulik Pustak Lekhan Yojana, 2007.

The first prize of Rs. 50,000 was given jointly to Shyam Sunder Sharma and Dr Rajiv Nigam for their book "Hamari Aarthik Samridhi Ki Aadhar-Monsoon".

Second prize of Rs. 40, 000 was given to Dr C. L. Garg for his book "Prakratik Aapdayain Aur Vigyan" and the third prize of Rs. 30,000 was given to Dr D D Ojha, for "Akshay Nidhi (Prithvi Aur Sagar)". (ANI)