On the suggestion of Dr.V.Raghava Swamy, Co-editor, Maps Today this feature has been taken up. He himself collected news items related to two colleges. The aim of this feature is to associate students with event- workshops, skill training, competitions and so on about maps and map-related ‘learn and practice’ activities, which have become important in today’s geospatially dependent world
Map Awareness Programme (MAP)
Neelima is a class-9 student of Nishulk School, Khairatabad, Hyderabad. She is from an economically backward community. She is under guidance of peer Mr. P.Satyanarayana, former Hydro-graphic officer,actively associated with GeoMap Society (GEMS). Neelima has completed the map assignment (standardized by Brig. JS Ahuja on behalf of GEMS) under theMap Awareness Programme (MAP). Her perception of school’s‘ neighbor-hood’ asunderstood by her is shown below. She took her inspiration from Google. Her answers to two map related points are also reproduced below, would receive prize from ‘GS Oberoi’s Fund’ initiatedunder Map Awareness Programme.
( Shift the Figure, here )
Length of one second of latitude &longitude in meters
Neelima’s response
The distances vary. A degree, minute or second of latitude remains fairly constant from the equator to the poles; however a degree, minute, or second of longitude can vary greatly as one approaches the poles (because of the convergence of the meridians). At 38 degrees North latitude, one degree of latitude isapproximately 364,000 ft (69 miles), one minute equals 6068 ft (1.15 miles), one-second equals 101 ft; one-degree of longitude equals 288,200 ft (54.6 miles), one minute equals 4800 ft (0.91 mile), and one second equals 80 ft. (Now every measurement is in meters and kilometers -- delete miles & feet )
About Nautical Mile(
Neelima’s response
A nautical mile is a unit of measurement used in both air and marine navigation, and for the extentof territorial waters. Historically, it was defined as one minute (1/60) of a degree of latitude. Today, it is defined as exactly, 1852 meters. The derived unit of speed is the knot, which equals toone nautical mile per hour.
Neelima’sNeighborhood Map of Nisulk School Khairatabad, Hyderabad
Location ofSchool is shown with aballoon symbol. Latitude-Longitude values ( in Northings & Eastings) are in the left side in thebox in DMS and DD ( expand)… Name of school should be given near ballon. The box could have been cropped. Neighbourhood is defined with a proxy distance (walkable) ; should be shown as a buffer circle. ( Source : Google Maps, Internet)
Surprisingly, she has not listed important landmarks of significance to school are not listed in the map. That would have been given value addition to the downloaded map…Her Peer should have given her guidance
Earth Day at J.Barooah College, Jorhat, Assam
Department of Geography, J.Barooah College, Jorhat, Assam celebrated Earth Day on 22nd ,April 2019. Dr D Dutta, Sr. Scientist, Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat delivered the Earth Day invited talk on ‘Protect our Species’. Further, the college organized Poster competition, Tree plantation, Display of Theme cards on conservation of Natural Resources, Water scarcity and on Climate Change. Students from neighboring Govt. Schools in Jorhat, also actively took part. A commemorative Volume, ‘BHOGDOI’ was also released to befit the occasion. (Dr Minakshi P Hazarika, Geography Lecturer, J B College, (Email : minakshi.gse3240@gmail.com )
Release of BHOGDOI : Group Photo (left to right) DrMinakshi P Hazarika, Dr Mrinal Nath, Head : Department of Geography, Dr Haren Bora ,Ms Anmona Bora , Vice Principal, Dr D Dutta, Sr. Scientist, Rain Forest Research Institute, Dr Bimal Barah, Principal and Ms Riki D Bharali
'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ atTarakeshwar Degree College, Hooghly, Kolkatta, West Bengal
Workshop on, 'Health & Hygiene' under, 'Swachh Bharat-Swasth Bharat Abhiyan' was held at Tarakeshwar Degree College, Hooghly, Kolkatta, West Bengal on 30th April,2019 - Topics on Healthy society, Lifestyle practices, Personal hygiene, Health awareness, and Cleanliness in surroundings were addressed to students of college by Peers and learned Speakers from S B Devi Charity Home, Kolkata. Nearly, 185 students participated in the interactive one day workshop.(Convener : Dr Chandramallika Biswas, email : chandramallika2002@gmail.com)
Students and Teachers of Tarakeshwar College, during Workshop
Presentation Session in progress, during Workshop
Reports with Photosfrom Schools & Colleges, with senders name & mail-id may be sentto: mapstodaygis@gmail.comand / or to raghavaswamy53@gmail.com