Conference Report Map India '98
Over 500 experts 0f mapping technology from all over the world participated in Map India ‘98-India’s largest Conference and Exhibition on GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing held at Jamia Hamdard in New Delhi from 7-9 October 1998.

Map India ’98 was formally opened by Mr. P. A. sangma, Member of Parliament and former Speaker of Lok Sabha, who in his inagural speech emphasised on the need of creation of digital databases for better planning and implementation of developmental activities. Speaking on the occasion Dr. M. P. Narayanan, President, CSDMS stressed upon the need for human resource development in the field of mapping technology.

Shri. N. Vittal, Central Vigilance Commissioner, Govt. of India presided over the inagural session. He raised the basic problems faced by GIS industry. He opined that GIS provides an excellent opportunity to add totally new dimensions to the old concepts of maps. While the old maps were static, the GIS as accessible through the computers, offers an element which is missing in the maps ever since they were formed viz. The element of flexibility and a dynamic approach. He emphasised that, as a planning tool GIS is an excellent instrument because it allows the planners to visualise what the shape of the future would be certain parameters are changed, he emphasised.

Delivering a Plenary Address at Map India ’98, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Govt. of India highlighted the need for organisation of available databases in a format useful to the common people. He announced that his Ministry is undertaking various studies using GIS as a tool for enviroonmental management and planning. He called for better co-ordination amongst various agencies engaged in data creation and management to avoid duplicity and consolidate the efforts towards a common goal.

The two Keynote Speakers at Map India ’98 were Dr. Loe Astroth, Vice President, Autodesk Inc. and Mr. Mark Gunn, Vice President, MapInfo Corporation. Both presented an overview of the latest developments and what GIS has in store for future. They emphasised on the use of internet as the medium for data transfer.

Map India ’98 was organised by Centre for Spatial Database Management and Solutions (CSDMS) – an NGO committed to promote and propagate GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing technology in the country. The event was sponsored by ‘Tata Infotech Ltd., Indian Space Research Organisation, National Remote Sensing Agency, National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation, Institution of Engineers (India) and Autodesk Inc.

In addition to quality paper presentations, Map India ’98 witnessed great degree of interaction amongst the participants about the concerns of the technology and issues related with the growth of the industry in the Panel Discussions. The Panelists were the top executives from government, industry and research institutions. The Group arrived a certain recommendations, which has been taken up by the CSDMS before the concerned authorities for necessary action.

The Exhibition was rated as highly successful. The feedback received from the Exhibitors indicates that Exhibitors received good number of queries and their business is likely to increase in the near future as lot of decision-making officials had the opportunity to see the demonstrations about the technology. There was a great degree of enthusiasm amongst the Exhibitor’s and almost participating companies were lead by senior executives.

The Best exhibitor award was awarded to RMSI for wonderful design of their stall and easy communicable display material. The Best Paper award was bagged by Mr. Mark Gunn, Vie President, MapInfo Corporation for hic\s paper entitled "Mapping Technology Speeds Relief Efforts of State Emergency Managementt Organisation in New York State during Ice Storm ‘98"