GEOGRAPHY ... SOME DIRECTIONS

D r. C h a n d ra S h e k h a r B a l a c h a n d ra n

F o u n d e r / D i r e c t o r

T h e I n d i a n I n s ti t u t e o f G e o g r a p h i c a l S t u d i e sB a n g a l o r e

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Salutati ons

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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)

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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 terms2. Places and regions3. Physical systems4. Human systems5. Environment and society6. The uses of geography

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Is this how you are feeling now?

Not for long!

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Geography helps us …

To understand connections among things that are relevant to us …

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Connecti ons

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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