At the inaugural ceremony of Map World Forum 2009 in Hyderabad, India, last Tuesday, the Hon. Vice President of India Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari set the pace of the conference by questioning the "relevance of geospatial to the daily travails of the majority of Indians". Using very relevant examples, he put forward the success stories and their actual penetration to the grass-roots. It is sure to have set the global gathering of geospatialists into a self analysis mode.

For the last four decades, geospatial sciences have evolved with every new addition and refinement of information technology. Conventionally, considered the domain of academia and the technocrati, this is a science whose standing and recognition can only be judged and evaluated by the number of socially relevant applications it is used for. The optimistic message by Dr. Jane Goodall to delegates of Map World Forum conveyed the hope she has from today's youth for constructively using their technological skills for 'a sustainably development of planet Earth'. Emphasising the role played by geospatial sciences in better understanding the earth's surface processes and its life forms Dr. Goodall added to the strong message on 'social relevance' earlier conveyed by the Vice President of India.

The impact of the global economic slowdown, was not visibly seen on the level of participation in this global gathering and was further endorsed by the Hon. Minister Shri Kapil Sibal. To sustain this industry and sail through the present rough seas, Prof C.K. Prahlad had some sobering advice to the big fish of our industry. The live and let live principle needs to be adhered to now more than any other time. The grab-gobble strategies will result in 'zero sum gain' for the geospatial industry.

The presence of national leaders at a gathering of geospatiallists from aound the globe, is an endorsement of the relevance and need geospatial in todays world.The synergy resulting from the focussed thoughts of politicians, bureaucrats, industry heads and global citizens achieved the goal set for the Map World Forum - it has germinated new seeds, which will grow into the already formidable geospatial communication network...