Dear readers,

The opportunity that geospatial information provides can make a real difference in our everyday lives. Yes, geographic information system (GIS) is just a tool, but once the value and potential of such information is realised, the results will be astounding. India needs to urgently capture GIS for its betterment. However, only concerted top level camaraderie with ‘a one for all and all for one’ agenda, will bring GIS to the doorstep of each Indian. Accessible geospatial data enables better decision making, and leads to real time services that can put an end to the predominant ‘que’ culture of our nation.

The annual World Bank ‘Doing Business’ publication uses several indicators to assess how a country’s regulatory framework provides an efficient and effective environment. One of the indicators is property registration. As you may be aware, Mumbai and Delhi have already begun GIS enabled property registration. Also power reforms, underway in the nation, are using the GIS platform. These are important successes - but lacunae remain, which hinge on improving access, availability and integration of datasets principally available with varied governmental bodies. We need greater cooperation between central government, state authorities, industry and academia. Trained manpower needs to be built urgently to fuel a growing market of GIS professionals and in general a temperament more scientific in content requires to be created. It is in such an environment that GIS will make the transition from a tool to an enabler.

This issue dedicated to GIS, tries to familiarise our readers with the present status of the subject. We have also tried to bring forth the debate on nearly missed opportunities by geographers - a wake up call that has the potential to change history.

Happy reading!