“Create synergy between the science and application of geospatial databases,” exhorted PS Goel, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences. Delivering the keynote address after inaugurating the four-day International Symposium on Geospatial Databases for Sustainable Development held in Goa during September 27-30, Dr Goel, who has done commendable work as a space scientist until recently, said that his first observation after coming from space to earth is that when people talk about sustainable development, it is imperative they talk about issues relating to earth. India is looking for a database for development. But the issue is not just about the creation of databases but to make them available to the right person at the right time. Goel said it is equally important to develop common standards to make different systems interoperable to facilitate the exchange of data and to have some agency that can take the responsibility of maintaining the databases, like the NSDI. Apart from these ingredients, Goel said space is the basic enabler of spatial data, in which India has made significant capacity.

Earlier, R Navalgund, Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, welcomed the guests and the delegates and made his opening remarks. Briefing on the activities of SAC, Navalgund said SAC is a place where a host of space scientists, physicists, geologists, anthropologists, biologists and even social scientists work handin- hand for the benefit of society vis-à-vis space. The organization is helping in capacity building, which is a vital requirement in a developing country like India, he added.

Detailing the activities of ISPRS TC-IV, Dr Shailesh Nayak, its president, said that data is being generated manifold, but the issue of concern is updating the same. Briefing the delegates over the activities of ISRS, Dr Radhakrishnan, Director, NRSA said the members are doing extremely good work in promoting remote sensing among the student and scientific community of their respective regions. Industry too is working for the broader application of remote sensing beyond the government arena.