National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal Launch

1. Date and Venue:
   • The NGDR Portal is scheduled to launch on 19th December 2023 in New Delhi.
   • The launch ceremony will be led by Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi and attended by Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve.
2. NGDR Overview:
   • A comprehensive online platform initiated by the Ministry of Mines.
   • Aims to provide access, sharing, and analysis of geospatial information across India.
3. Key Players:
   • Guided by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N), the initiative aims to launch the National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) Portal, emphasizing collaboration in advancing geoscience and technology.
   • GSI, established in 1851, has evolved into an internationally acclaimed geo-scientific organization.
4. NGDR’s Significance:
   • Represents a leap forward in democratizing critical geoscience data.
   • Empowers stakeholders in industries and academia with unprecedented access to valuable resources.
5. GSI’s Role:
   • Originally established in 1851 to find coal deposits for Railways.
   • Functions include creating and updating national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
   • Provides objective, impartial, and up-to-date geological expertise for policy-making decisions.
6. GSI’s Operations:
   • Conducts ground surveys, air-borne and marine surveys, mineral prospecting, and investigations.
   • Emphasizes systematic documentation of geological processes, both surface and subsurface.
   • Utilizes the latest technologies, including remote sensing and computer-based methods.
7. GSI’s Reach:
   • Headquartered in Kolkata with six regional offices and state unit offices across India.
   • Functioning as a unit under the Ministry of Mines, it serves as an integral component within the ministry’s framework.
8. About BISAG-N:
   • An Autonomous Scientific Society under the Government of India.
   • Undertakes technology development, research & development, and facilitates national and international cooperation in geospatial technology.
9. BISAG’s Technology Integration:
   • Implements GIS and geo-spatial technologies for major Ministries and States.
   • Integrates geo-spatial science, information science systems, and mathematics science systems in-house.
   • Provides cost-efficient technology solutions on open source platforms.
10. Current Status of BISAG:
    • A state agency of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat.
    • Located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, BISAG focuses on technology transfer, entrepreneurship development, and capacity building.

In summary, the NGDR Portal launch marks a significant step toward enhancing accessibility to geospatial information, fostering innovation in exploration, and strengthening collaborations between key players in the field of geoscience and technology.

Source: PIB

Also Read: December 17-18

Smart India Hackathon 2023:

1. Prime Minister’s Interaction:
   • Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised young innovators for their problem-solving capabilities.
   • Acknowledged their remarkable ingenuity in addressing complex challenges.
2. Innovation for National Development:
   • Emphasized the importance of innovations in contributing to the nation’s development.
   • Specifically highlighted the role of innovations in advancing the Rail sector.
3. Smart India Hackathon Overview:
   • Inception: The initiative began as a platform for innovation in 2017.
   • Ministry Involvement: Led by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education).
   • Objective: To harness the creativity and problem-solving skills of young minds to address real-world challenges faced by various ministries and industries.
4. Hackathon Duration:
   • The Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2023 is scheduled from the 19th to the 23rd of this month.
5. Record Participation:
   • Over 50 thousand ideas were submitted, reflecting a sevenfold increase compared to the first edition.
   • Received contributions from 44 thousand teams, showcasing widespread interest and engagement.
6. Participants and Mentors:
   • More than 12 thousand participants actively involved in the grand finale.
   • Over two thousand 500 mentors contributing their expertise and guidance.
7. Nodal Centers Across the Country:
   • The event is conducted at 48 nodal centers spread across the country.
   • Highlights the inclusivity and nationwide reach of the Smart India Hackathon.
8. Shortlisted Teams:
   • A total of 1,282 teams have been shortlisted for the grand finale.
   • These teams will provide solutions on diverse themes, including Space Technology, Smart Education, Disaster Management, Robotics and Drones, Heritage and Culture, among others.
9. Themes for Innovation:
   • Participants are focusing on themes critical to the nation’s progress, reflecting a holistic approach.
   • Themes encompass a wide array, ranging from cutting-edge Space Technology to preserving Heritage and Culture.
10. Government’s Focus on Rail Sector:
    • PM Modi highlighted the government’s significant focus on the Rail sector.
    • Anticipates that innovations from the Hackathon will play a pivotal role in the sector’s advancement.

Smart India Hackathon, initiated in 2017 by the Ministry of Education, serves as a platform to channel the innovation and problem-solving capabilities of young minds towards addressing real-world challenges. The record participation in 2023 reflects the success and growing impact of this initiative on a national scale.

Source: AIR