Dr. K Kasturirangan, Member of Indian Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and former Chairman of ISRO and presently the Director of National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), has been awarded the prestigious Brock Medal of the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS). The Medal was presented to Dr. Kasturirangan on July 14, 2004, during the inaugural ceremony of the XX Congress of the ISPRS at Istanbul, Turkey. The medal was presented by Dr. John Trinder (President of ISPRS) and Dr. Russell G Congalton,President, American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) in the presence of the Minister of Defence, Turkey. Over 2000 delegates, attending the Congress, were present during the inaugural meet when the medal was presented to Dr. K Kasturirangan.
The ISPRS Brock Medal, the highest honour of ISPRS, is awarded for outstanding contribution in the field of photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences. The medal is instituted jointly by the ISPRS and the ASPRS.As Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, Department of Space, Dr. Kasturirangan, has led the Indian space programme to great heights. He played a pioneering role in furthering the use of Indian Remote Sensing Satellites -–both at national and global levels enabling several innovative techniques in the areas of image processing, analysis and interpretation, including photogrammetry. He was instrumental in developing unique applications of remote sensing relevant to India and developing nations. He envisioned the concepts of spatial data infrastructures in support of development and use of high technology for societal and public good. Dr. Kasturirangan has also made major contribution to international cooperation and collaboration in these areas. Thanks to his contributions, the Indian capabilities in remote sensing and GIS have given India a pre-eminent position among the space faring nations.
The ISPRS International Council conferred the international award on Dr. Kasturirangan for his contribution to space science in India, especially in Earth Observation and spatial technologies, which have been seen as outstanding and globally worthy for the highest honour of ISPRS. Dr. Kasturirangan is the first Asian to receive this award.
