London, July 22: The Cambridge conference on international mapping dedicated its opening day to India, holding an exhibition on the achievements made by the country in the field of mapping and surveying. On the opening day, termed `India Day', a special exhibition `The Great Arc Festival' showcased some of the major contributions of Indian surveyors as well as advances made by India in space exploration and science and technology. The exhibition comprised video presentations, pictures and rare documents, including a personal diary of William Lambton, who with George Everest laid the foundation of the first scientific survey of India 237 years ago. The survey of India and the department of science and technology utilised the occasion on Sunday to showcase their past endeavours and present contribution in the field. Speaking on the occasion, minister of state for science and technology Bachi Singh Rawat said, "The survey of India, which is now 237 years old, is a repository of untold knowledge, created silently, painstakingly and tirelessly by countless surveyors, engineers and intrepid field workers."


Vanessa Lawrence, conference chair, said the great arc festival was a "splendid way to start the conference as it showcases India's endeavours" from early days to the present space explorations.


Asheem Chakravarty of the fusion band `Indian Ocean' arrived astride a motorised metal elephant as part of a special ceremony to inaugurate the exhibition. Dancer Astad Deboo also performed on the occasion.


Performing arts events will take place in London and Edinburgh throughout this month and August as part of the festival.


Bureau Report