GEOGRAPHY ... SOME DIRECTIONS

D r. C handra S he khar B a lac handran

F o u n d e r / D i r e c t o rT h e I n d i a n I n s t i t u t e o f G e o g r a p h i c a l S t u d i e s

B a n g a l o r e

Salutations

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Even if it is a single syllable

That a teacher imparts to the pupil

There is no wealth in this world

With which the pupil may repay that debt

(Late) Sri B. Narasanna, MA, MEd.1920 – 1987Social Studies TeacherNational High SchoolBangalore

Dr. Surinder Mohan Bhardwaj, PhDEmeritus Professor of Geography

Kent State University (USA)

What is geography?

Standard textbook definition:

Geo = Earth

Graphy = description

Geography = description of Earth

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The six elements of geography

1. The world in spatial terms

2. Places and regions

3. Physical systems

4. Human systems

5. Environment and society

6. The uses of geography

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Is this how you are feeling now?

Not for long!

Geography helps us …

To understand connections among things that are relevant to us …

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Connections

Our stories are pieces of a dynamic puzzle

Pieces connected

• Within a particular geographical scale

• Across geographical scales

Connections range from local to global – a delicious example

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Archduke Franz Ferdinand (18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914)

Try and make the connections (history + geography)

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Archduke Franz Ferdinand (18 December 1863 – 28 June 1914)

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Yajnanarayana Maiya (???? – 1968)

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Rava idly

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Connect thiswith …

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Water

Air / wind

VERANDAH

BANDANA

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Yeah, but what about careers?

Like, Vasco da Gama is slightly dead!

The Vijayanagara empire is forgotten!

Sail boats are so, like, OLD-fashioned!

Humongous freighters now travel without depending on winds.

How can geography education help us build a career? HUH?

• Say us, please!

• Er … tell us, tell us, tell uuuusss!

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Let us ask some questions …

Why is India such an important exporter of pharmaceuticals?

How are locations of these determined?

• ATMs

• Mobile signal towers

• Industries

• Service facilities

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More questions …

Understanding why:

• Knowledge of English language = power

• (India in the global context)

Addressing the naxalite issue

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And another thing … or more

How does Chinese investment in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa affect the rest of us?

Military and a geography education … this is very obvious, ja?

Love Mother Earth? Want to ‘save the environment’? Start with a good geography education.

Want to find a good location for your new home? Three things: location, location, location!

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“Without place, you are nowhere. Study some geography!”

My guru

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Image: NASA