A nice Poem, drive responsibly

I went to a party Mom,
I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom,
So I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom,
The way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom,
Even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom,
I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom,
As everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom,
I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me,
So responsible and sweet.


I started to drive away, Mom,
But as I pulled out into the road,
The other car didn't see me, Mom,
And hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom,
I hear the policeman say,
"The other guy is drunk," Mom,
And now I'm the one who will pay.

I'm lying here dying, Mom....
I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom?
My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom,
And most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom,
I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom,
I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom.
The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank
And I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom?
It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now.
Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom,
And I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying
And all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom.
Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom,
Put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom,
Not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom,
I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom.
I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom.
When I needed you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom.
Before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive,
So why am I the one to die?

Someone took the effort to write this poem it is not that u are the intended recipient but u can help u r friends who are regular drinkers to understand the side effects they put on the society. So please, understand that drinking and driving don't mix.

Driven by GIS

I am a final year M.Sc (physics) student specialising in Solid State Physics with Physics of Nanomaterials as my elective. I have now decided to join GIS course. But I have a few doubts. Is there is any scope for GIS graduates with M.Sc (physics) background? If yes where? Is there any opportunity for me (other than education field) to pursue my career based on my current M.Sc (physics) degree?
Bhavani Shankar
Job opportunities in the field of Geoinformatics is plenty. Many public and private companies employ GIS graduates at various levels. Public sector organisations like ISRO, NRSA, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and other governmental departments like urban developmental authorities and municipal bodies employ GIS trained personnel. However, the percentage of jobs in private companies is higher than in the government departments. One can also pursue research in the field as a number of research companies use the technology in different areas. The different GIS job levels are: GIS digitisers/GIS operators: This is an entry-level job where the conversion of paper map into digital environment takes place using CAD related software. The minimum eligibility is diploma in any discipline with basic knowledge of CAD/GIS.Prior experience is not required in many cases. GIS technicians/GIS engineers: The candidate should have a fair amount of working knowledge in any GIS software and good mapping knowledge with one to two years of experience. GIS analysts:These professionals should have a basic knowledge of mapping and good skills in GIS applications and software with a few years of experience.Their duty is to examine the company’s project specifications and development of new GIS tools, wherever necessary. A fair share of GIS programming skills is an advantage. Business development managers: The candidate should have a minimum of two to five years of experience with good knowledge about GIS business activities.He should have worked in domestic and international market with proven abilities and an excellent track record. GIS project manager: The candidate should have a minimum of five years of experience in GIS project management,database design and development, GIS application development and familiarity with current versions of GIS products. He should have a good GIS background and high qualifications. Consultant:A consultant’s primary duties are the complete analysis, design and documentation of a project. He has to work closely with business development/sales and project managers in drafting responses to RFP/tenders and preparing project proposals. The scene in India for GIS is bright and also augurs well for the future. As per a latest report, the growth of GIS market in India was Rs 79 crores in the year 1999-’2000.The exports from India are expected to reach US$ 150 million by year 2005.Also the increasing job opportunities in public and private sectors gives hope for the development of GIS usage in the country. Here’s the list of some companies in Bangalore:

www.webindia.com/theovel:Theovel Surveys, Bangalore

www.tide-india.org: They have helped in setting up a GIS centre for Bangalore Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (BMRDA).

Genesys: GIS service provider, based in Bangalore and Mumbai. They are also into photogrammetry,remote sensing,software development and CAD conversion.

Tata Infotech Limited

Magnasoft: Provider of AM/FM/GIS and RS services since 1994 catering to reputed clients both in India and North America,Magnasoft is located in Bangalore.

Caddrite Global: Geographic Information System/CAD Conversion/ E-Books/ Facility Information System and GPS sales.

Useful weblinks:

1. www.members.rediff.com/gisindia/company.htm

2. www.webindia.com/theovel

3. www.gislounge.com/library/career.shtml

4. www.careers.geocomm.com/detail.phtml?type=2&id=10445

5. www.earthworks-jobs.com/rescas.htm

Studying Earth

I am final year civil engineering student and want to pursue my career in IT. I find the field of geoinformatics very interesting, but I don’t know about the scope/ demand, job opportunities, application area, companies offering services in this field in India or abroad. Where can I study? Please give me relevant info pertaining to the field of geoinformatics (GIS/GPS/Remote Sensing/ Photogrammetry/ Cartography/ Image processing).
Prasad
Geoinformatics is a science which develops and uses information science infrastructure to address the problems of geosciences and related branches of engineering.
The three main tasks of geoinformatics are: development and management of databases of geodata; analysis and modelling of geodata; development and integration of computer tools and software for the first two tasks.
Some institutes in India offering education in the field of Geoinformatics:
* Symbiosis Institute of Geoinformatics, SIMS campus, IInd Floor, Range Hills Corner, Kirkee Cant, Pune-411020. Ph: 020-25811290/ 25811291. Web: www.symbiosisgeoinformatics.in It offers two-year Master’s of Science programme in Geoinformatics
* Barkatullah University, Bhopal, offers two-year M.Sc in Geoinformatics (special feature: GIS and GPS analysis). Web: www.bubhopal.nic.in
* Bangalore University, Jnanabharati Campus, Department of Geography, offers diploma in geoinformatics. Ph: 2321 3023. Email:buregistrar@vsnl.net
* Indian Space Research Organisation, Department of Space, Antariksh Bhavan, New BEL Road, Bangalore-560094. Ph: 3416356
* Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, No.4 Kalidas Road, Dehra Dun, 248001. Ph: 91-135- 24583
* Remote National Sensing Agency, Balanagar, Hyderabad 500037. Ph: 91-40-279572 to 76.
* Space Applications Centre (SAC), SAC PO, Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad 380 053.
* Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and Pacific Region (CSSTE-AP) IIRS Campus, 4 Kalidas Road, PBN 135 Dehra Dun 248 001 Ph: (135) 740737 Email: cssteap@del2.vsnl.net.in
Some of the following institutes offer short-term courses in Geoinformatics
* Diploma in Geoinformatics (two month full-time course on GIS, GPS and remote sensing). Contact Person: Neeraj Budhari. GIS Institute, GIS Development Pvt. Ltd. G-4, Sector-39, Noida-201 301. Ph: 120 2502180 to 87. Email: info@GISinstitute.net
* AnA Geomatics Pvt. Ltd. 133A, 3rd Floor, Near Nanak Pura Gurudwara, Moti Bagh, New Delhi 110021. Ph: 011-6876273. Email: anageomatics@rediffmail.com
* Training Programme on GIS (with emphasis on Natural Resources and Disaster Management) Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Dr P.K.Garg, Associate Professor, Geomatics Eng Section, Dept of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee-247667, Uttaranchal. Ph: (01332) 85462 Email: gargpfce@iitr.ernet.in, anugarg@datainfosys.net
The scope of geoinformatics is wide. There are over 200 private companies in India. Alternate careers as software programmer can be given a thought. Central/state govt and public sector dealing with developmental work have openings. Majority of NGOs are hosting GIS/remote sensing cells. In entrepreneurship development, India being the preferred destination for GIS related work.
Some companies offering jobs in Geoinformatics include ESRI (NIIT-GIS), Reliance Digital World, Rolta India Ltd, RMSI Ltd, SPECK, Intergraph, HOPE, TCS, SIEMENS, Oracle Inc, TATA Infotech, L&T, Satyam, Hughes, Genesis, KAMPSAX, Redas India, Infotech enterprise, among others. For complete listing visit: www.ecat.giscafe.com/corplist.php
For overseas opportunities visit www.ltid.inpe.br/dsr/tania/Rsdir/countries.htm