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What is the News?
Visually challenged students from all over the country will have access soon to Braille Maps designed and developed using Digital Embossing Technology.
What is Digital Embossing Technology?
Digital embossing technology (DET) is a process that eliminates the need for printing plates, moulds, chemicals, and solvents besides releasing no pollutants or waste and reducing overall energy usage.
Introduced by: DET technology has been introduced, designed and implemented for the first time in India by National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO).
Significance: The maps produced using this technology are not only useful for high-speed production of the maps but can also produce Braille Maps that can be used by more people for years together.
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About National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organisation(NATMO)
NATMO was established in 1997. It is a subordinate department under the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology.
Functions: a) Compilation of the National Atlas of India in Hindi, English and other regional languages b) Preparation of thematic maps based on socio-economic, physical, cultural, environmental, demographic and other issues c) Preparation of maps/atlases for visually impaired d) Digital mapping and training using Remote sensing, GPS and GIS technology e) Training and f) Research & Development.
Headquarter: Kolkata
Significance: NATMO has become popularized with the publication of Braille Atlas for Visually Impaired (India), edition 2017 in English Braille Script. It was developed with an indigenous manual embossing method. For this, it was also conferred the National Award on “Science & Technology Intervention for Physically Challenged”.
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Source: This post is based on the article “Visually challenged students will have access to user-friendly durable Braille maps using advanced technology” published in PIB on 11th January 2022.
