Daily Archives: December 18, 2014

SoI Plans Digi Maps Better than Google’s

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Hyderabad :

It will not be too long when using digital maps becomes part of daily life. Web-based maps will become an integral part while carrying out daily activities like buying a home, travelling and shopping.

Though maps have been in use for many years, with the advent of ‘Google maps’ people have got a taste of usage of maps in daily life. Already, many youngsters have got accustomed to using Google navigation app while driving.

“Though extremely useful Google map provides just a very minute part of the basic information needed for people. Even more complex and useful information can be presented in the form of maps,” SV Singh, director of Survey of India (SoI), Hyderabad, said on the sidelines of the 34th annual Congress of Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA) here on Tuesday.

More complex information like knowing about density of forest cover, availability of water bodies, population density, sex ratio, agriculture potential, literacy levels, among others can all be depicted through maps.

“Survey of India prepares maps in various categories. Sensing the curiosity among public, half of SoI maps were made available for public on www.surveykshan.gov.in,” Singh said. The fact that there are more than hundred thematic maps, tells how a vast range of information can be compiled and presented through maps.

“SoI has launched a virtual reference system (VRS) through which the whole of India will be mapped for serving as a reference and navigation tool. It will be more accurate than Google navigation as points on Google are away at a distance of 15 metres while points in VRS system will be away by just half metre,” explained Swarna Subba Rao, surveyor-general of India.

Virtual reference system is being taken up with an outlay of `12,000 crore and using GPS.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by J. Deepti Nandan Reddy / December 17th, 2014

Ghanta Chakrapani is first Chairman of TSPSC

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Ghanta Chakrapani / The Hindu
Ghanta Chakrapani / The Hindu

Academician, journalist and political commentator Ghanta Chakrapani has been appointed as the first Chairman of the Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC). Three other members were also appointed while the Governor is said to have rejected the names of few other members.

Prof. Chakrapani, who is presently the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU) is a well-known intellectual face of the Telangana movement strongly arguing its case at the State and national level. Born in Yaswada village, which was submerged in the Lower Maneru Dam construction, he did his post-graduation in Sociology and Communication and Journalism from Osmania University. He started his journalism career after Intermediate and worked in all the popular Telugu newspapers before moving into academics. Recipient of national and international fellowships including the prestigious India China Institute fellowship, he worked on Globalisation and Inequalities in India and China. He published 12 books and 52 research articles. He also received the best teacher award in 2014.

Widely travelled around the world, Prof. Chakrapani made his mark in journalism reporting on inequalities in the society and later as a political commentator on television. He received wide appreciation for his unflinching support to the Telangana agitation and making a strong case for separate statehood. He will hold the TSPSC office for six years.

The constitution of the TSPSC was approved by the Governor with these members but he rejected recommendation of the government to nominate T. Srinivas, Dinesh Kumar (of Kakatiya University), Rajeshwar Reddy (OU) and advocates Sriranga Rao, Gopu Chandrashekhar Reddy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – December 18th, 2014