NEW DELHI: In a first, the Ministry of Science and Technology has come up with a comprehensive Braille atlas for nearly 50 lakh visually challenged people in the country, especially students.
The atlas has 20 maps on different themes like physical, socio-economic, river system, crops pattern, natural vegetation, cultural, metropolitan areas, roads and railways, and crops.
Developed in Hindi and English by the National Atlas and Thematic Mapping Organisation (NATMO), Kolkata, an institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Braille atlas has been made using indigenously developed silk-screen painting technology.
“This is for the first time that a comprehensive atlas has been prepared for physically challenged with such minute details,” Director of NATMO, Tapti Banerjee, said.
The maps are well embossed with simple lines and point symbols to facilitate its users realise the location. The area coverage is easily distinguishable in terms of shapes and textures.
Each atlas costs nearly Rs 600.
“But we intend to give a couple of free copies to institutes teaching visually impaired students,” Union Minister for Science and Technology, Harsh Vardhan, said. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
