Mr Madhavan Nair said that while India was taking the lead in remote sensing, the application of this technology has to spread to hitherto unexplored areas and this needed efforts to generate interest among the public and, more specifically, among the student community. “It is in this context that the book by Dr. George Joseph will help us” he pronounced with satisfaction.

Dr K Kasturirangan, who was the Chief Guest at the function and who, as Chairman of ISRO earlier, had encouraged Dr George Joseph to bring out this book, said that simple books on space technologies are to be encouraged so as to make the younger generation aware of these techniques for applications in areas they pursue. He appreciated Dr George Joseph for his intense efforts to bring out the book.

The author of “Fundamentals of Remote Sensing”, Dr George Joseph was at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad since 1973, where he was the guiding force for the development of earth observation remote sensors, data products, image processing and applications. During 1994-98, as Director, SAC, Dr Joseph guided activities related to satellite communications and various national level programmes towards the utilization of space technology for national development.

As Satish Dhawan Distinguished Professor, Dr Joseph is now engaged in studies related to various aspects of remote sensing technology and its applications and is actively associated in shaping and guiding the remote sensing programmes of ISRO.

Introducing his book, Dr George Joseph said that the motive behind authoring the book “Fundamentals of Remote Sensing” was to develop a one-source textbook for students pursuing graduate and postgraduate courses in remote sensing and as an end-to-end source material for the professionals. The book could also serve as a teaching manual for those engaged in education and training in this new and promising field of remote sensing. For the international audience, the book is informative about India’s foray in remote sensing.

“Fundamentals of Remote Sensing” is published by the Universities Press and distributed by Orient Longman.