Union minister hails NATMO Braille atlas

Union Science and Technology Minister Harsh Vardhan today said the scientists of the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation had made the country proud by bringing out a Braille atlas.
The Braille atlas would be of aid to the visually impaired students and enable them to study maps, the minister said while inaugurating the Phase 4 of 'Rashtriya Atlas Bhavan' here.
"What makes me more proud is that the braille atlas has been made using indigenously developed silk-screen painting technology by NATMO researchers," the Union minister said.
The first of its kind comprehensive Braille atlas, was launched in Delhi in February, Harsh Vardhan said. It would help scores of visually-challenged people in the country, especially students.

NATMO has also planned to prepare maps of smart cities and so far published around 1,000 maps and 65 atlas, an official said.
Director, NATMO, Tapati Banerjee said that the atlas had been developed in Hindi and English.
As part of NATMO digital mapping initiatives, 'Bidhannagar Manchitra' has been completed which will be initially of help to elderly residents of the township needing medical emergency help.