Waman Bapuji Metre

Waman Bapuji Metre (वामण बापूजी मेत्रे) (February 14, 1906 – November 21, 1970), admiringly referred to as Dādā ('Elder Brother'in Marathi) Metre in the Indian oil industry circles, was the doyen of Indian petroleum geologists. For his life-time pioneering contribution to petroleum exploration and development in India and for his 'significant contribution to the growth of the oil industry in the country', he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1968, the highest of the civilian awards conferred to date by the President of India on any professional in the fields of mining, petroleum exploration or production.

Early life

Born in a family of farmers of modest means in the village of Kalamb, in Maharashtra state in India, Waman went to high school in the nearest town of Yavatmal, and was reputed to be the first one from his village to attend high school. After matriculating from the school, he went to the city of Nagpur and earned Intermediate Science degree at the college there. He won a scholarship to the Indian School of Mines & Applied Geology in 1926, which was established only that year on the model of Royal School of Mines, and graduated in 1930 with the first batch of students from that institution.

Forty Years of Contribution to Oil Industry of South Asia

Pioneering work in India, Burma and Pakistan

W. B. Metre joined Assam Oil Company Ltd. (AOC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Burmah Oil Company Ltd. (BOC), at Digboi in...
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