The National Geospatial Policy 2022 in India has set a visionary course, explicitly emphasizing
"catching them young" to nurture spatial thinking among the country's populace. In resonance with
this imperative, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Institute of Environment Education and
Research (BVIEER), Pune, as the Nodal Agency for DST’s Geospatial Capacity Building Program, has
proudly pioneered the nation's inaugural series of workshops dedicated to promoting geospatial
science and technology among educators and administrators jointly with the Department of Science
and Technology, Government of India (DST) and the State Council for Education, Research and
Training(SCERTs). Kick starting the first with SCERT Telangana and the National Institute for
Geoinformatics Science and Technology, Survey of India Hyderabad, (NIGST) on December 20, 2023
graced by @Shri Sunil Kumar Addl Secretary, DST-GOI and Pankaj Mishra, Deputy Surveyor General,
Survey of India followed by a workshop in Jammu on 27 March 2024 with the Directorate of Education,
Jammu graced by Prof. Dr. Parikshit Singh Manas, Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Board of School
Education, a third with SCERT Kerala on 5 April 2024 graced by Dr. A Nizamuddin IAS, Director Kerala
State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre, Shri A Shanavas, director of General Education,
Kerala, and Dr. Jayaprakash, Director SCERT Kerala and fourth one at SCERT Haryana on 23 April
2024, these workshops focus on the crucial facet of orienting educators to the art and science of
spatial thinking. These workshops are a transformative initiative, strategically designed to equip
teachers with a profound understanding of spatial thinking concepts and practical tools, thereby
fostering an enriched learning environment. Given the government's emphasis on integrating spatial
thinking into the educational framework, these groundbreaking workshops promise to significantly
contribute to the holistic development of our students. The content focuses on cultivating an
understanding of localizing SDGs, utilizing simple open-source geospatial tools to foster spatial
thinking, and devising action-based projects for implementation at the school level. With
subsequent workshops being planned across diUerent states, these groundbreaking eUorts align
seamlessly with educational reforms, promising holistic student development. We are extremely
happy to contribute to a more geospatial literate society!