In 2001- 'Taking GIS into IT mainstream', in 2003 - 'GIS Finding the Mainstream', in 2006 -
'Will GIS find the mainstream' and in 2008 - 'towards ubquitous GIS'...these were the themes
of some of our magazines and conferences. It is the timeline of development,
acceptance and permeation of geospatial into the Asian region. From inception to going
mainstream - almost 30 years, but mainstream to ubiquity is supposed to be a lot quicker.
The predicted time line for g-ubiquity, is a decade more ...but that was before the
present status of the global economy.
A lot has been said about the role of emerging economies of China and India in stabilizing
the present global economic crisis. The
MAPPS geospatial market survey states "... geospatial activities have a significant multiplier effect in the economy, so if we can get geospatial growing, we can help the overall economy rebound." The US Dept. of labor has also stated the same in stronger terms and has initiated processes to aid 'high growth job training initiatives...'. India's self potential in generating geospatial business was discussed last week. In the same context, the
'BHUVAN' application is capable of generating substantial work for Indian geospatial industry's internal consumption, as 'outsourced' jobs diminish. At such a juncture it is suicidal to bringup 'worries' and 'fears' about security. Let us hope that the effort called 'Bhuvan' is not sacrificed on the horns of paranoia.
Dr.
Hrishikesh Samant
Dr Harsh K Gupta 