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Data
Users’ Workshop
 A
day long Workshop was held at India International
Centre, Maxmueller Road, Lodhi Estate on
27 April 2009. Sponsored by National Resources
Data Management Systems (NRDMS), Department
of Science and Technology, Government of
India, the Workshop was organised by LIGHTS,
an NGO and Geography and You.
The actual use of data has often
been limited to higher levels of learning
and planning bodies. Yet, the potential
uses to which data may be put to is immense
and of special interest to teachers intent
upon instilling a scientific temper in gennext.
The Data Users’ Workshop was specially designed
for senior secondary teachers from the national
capital region of Delhi to integrate geospatial
information into theoretical classroom teaching.
Dr R Siva Kumar,
Head, NRDMS/NSDI, Department
of Science and Technology (DST), Government
of India, inaugurated the event and presented
the key note address. At the outset, Dr
Siva Kumar spoke about rapid changes in
mapping technology that has transformed
paper maps into vibrant remotely sensed
graphics equipped for every conceivable
application. However, he added that the
usage of geospatial data is minimal in India
and recognising the gap a series of activities
has been undertaken by DST. He was hopeful
that teachers could make a difference and
create renewed interest among students by
using geospatial data as teaching aids.
Dr Siva Kumar outlined various programmes
that enables students to turn into young
researchers by collecting local data and
mapping information. He also highlighted
a successful capacity building experiment
undertaken with drop out school children
from rural areas.
 Dr
Prithvish Nag,
Director, National Atlas and Thematic Mapping
Organisation, speaking on Spatial Data and
Maps-Innovations in Mapping said that use
of GPS and GIS should be encouraged among
teachers as the future belongs to the use
of three dimensional softwares. This, he
added, also provides a great job opportunity
in the field of geography.
Dr Saibal Dasgupta,
Chief Conservator, Madhya Pradesh, made
an interesting and informative presentation
on various aspects of forestry data in India.
His session saw maximum interjections from
participants as teachers cleared conceptual
gaps in their understanding of forest data.
The feed back forms put Dr Dasgupta’s presentation
as one of the best.
The Data Users’ Workshop
was endowed with a brilliant set of resource
persons - senior officers, scientists and
professors, and provided a rare opportunity
for senior secondary teachers to interact
with internationally renowned persons who
have received considerable accolades in
their respective fields.
Dr C Chakravorty, Joint
Director, Census of India, made an informative
presentation on Census Methodology and Range
of Data Collection. He explained the finer
nuances of census nomenclature, methodology
and data collection processes.
Dr J P Sharma, Head,
National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land
Use Planning, ICAR
delivered an exhaustive talk on the Application
of Remote Sensing and GIS for Land Use Planning
and explained in great detail soil
mapping and categorisation for land use
planning.
Inderjeet Mittal, DoPT
approved Master Trainer and Director, Ministry
of Earth Sciences, made an unique
presentation that involved teaching methodology
with a special focus on data usage. Interactive
and sublimely educative, his deliberation
touched upon the finer aspects of teaching
and pupil psychology. His presentation was
well accepted and the feed back forms places
him as one of the most appreciated speaker.
 Dr
Sucharita Sen,
Associate Professor, CSRD, Jawaharlal
Nehru University, offered practical training
on Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing
during the post lunch session. Teachers
were provided a brief hands-on training
of ArcGIS Version 9. Dr Sen pointed out
that although GIS software are expensive
but basic programmes such as GRAM++, useful
for school children, is being developed
by DST in extremely cost effective formats.
Dr SARAsWATI Raju,
Professor, CSRD, Jawaharlal Nehru
University, presented an interesting discourse
on Engendering Data in India. She outlined
several non quantifiable work undertaken
by women
which is not adequately reflected in the
Indian work participation rate.
Study
material and presentations made by the resource
persons were handed over to the participants
to enable them to incorporate the learnings
into their classroom teaching.
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