The Parikrma Festival of Science 2026 All about "Maps & Cartography"
The Parikrma Festival of Science
The Parikrma Festival of Science (FOS), held this year at MAHE (Manipal Academy of Higher Education), was a three-day event focused on the theme of “Maps and Cartography.” Three hundred students from over 30 Bengaluru schools (including government schools) participated in interactive sessions on map decoding, mathematical concepts, and digital GIS technologies. Activities included storytelling with fantasy maps, discussions on inequality and exclusion, and explorations of future mapping in areas such as space, AI, and oceanography. The festival concluded with a treasure hunt, a hackathon, and the Cartographers Challenge, where students presented innovative mapping solutions to global challenges.
We extend our sincere thanks to our long-term official sponsors, Synopsys India, and to our guest of honour, Chandrashekar B U, Senior Architect at Synopsys.
The Parikrma Festival of Science
One of the government schools shared highlights from the festival during their morning assembly, describing both the interactive sessions and their learning experiences. “How to read a map was just the beginning. The three-day festival inspired me to learn more about the world of maps,” said 8th grader Nikhil TS from Ajax Government School. Prakruthi added, “Having the opportunity to hear Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was fantastic. It was an honour to ask him a few questions. The entire session was inspiring.”
The festival’s enthusiasm was echoed by professors, practitioners, and scientists from leading institutes, who actively engaged with students throughout the event. This spirit was captured by the keynote speaker, Prof. M. B. Rajani, Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), IISc, who reflected: “It was a joy to be part of the Parikrama Festival of Science 2026 and to see such an enthusiastic gathering of young, curious minds. Interacting with students, sharing ideas, and feeling their excitement for science and discovery was truly energising. Events like this remind us how powerful curiosity can be when it is encouraged and nurtured. I congratulate the Parikrama team for creating such a vibrant platform and wish them continued strength and success in inspiring the next generation of thinkers and innovators.”
THE WISDOM OF THE SHEPHERD: Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Modern Cartography at the Parikrma Festival of Science At the 12th Parikrma Festival of Science (Jan 21-23, 2026) in Bengaluru, themed Maps and Cartography, I had the honor of being chief guest on Day 1, delivering the inaugural address alongside Dr. Shukla Bose.
Supported by Synopsys For Good and hosted at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, the event brought together ISRO scientists, IISc professors, heritage experts, and wildlife conservationists – using satellites, GIS, and geospatial data to map our world. Yet the most profound moment came from Neelkantha Nagappa Kurubar (Neelkanth Mama), an 88-year-old traditional shepherd from Uchgaon, Belagavi, with no formal education. Leading 200+ Deccani sheep across 500+ km routes in North Karnataka, he navigates purely by oral, experiential “maps”: reading wind, birds, grasses (30+ varieties, many medicinal), village cues, and seasonal rhythms.
His black woolen Kambali (Gongadi) ಕರಿಯ ಕಂಬಳಿ – a handwoven, durable, multipurpose cloth from his flock – serves as turban, shawl, blanket, towel, bed, and more: a true extension of his body and symbol of pastoral dharma. In symbiosis with his sheep, he stays resilient (even through COVID), conserves the Deccani breed, organizes cooperatives, and advocates sustainable grazing internationally.
Grateful to Parikrma Humanity Foundation for igniting curiosity and compassion.
Session 1 – Geographical Survey of India
Session 2 – History of Cartography – Projection and Its Types
Session 3 – Inferring Cartography Orally
Session 4 – Mapping Animal Movement in Changing Landscapes
Session 5 – Reading the Earth’ s Story Through Rocks
Session-6 How Maps Help Protect Forests and Wildlife
Session-7 Mapping the Earth from Space
Session-8 Satellite-Based Mapping
Meet the speakers:
Prof. M. B. Rajani is a Professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), IISc. Her research focuses on analysing cultural landscapes using geospatial data to identify archaeological features and applying these methods for heritage preservation amid rapid urbanisation.
Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is a former Indian Air Force fighter pilot, test pilot, and astronaut. He flew fighter aircraft for India and took part in the 1971 war, showing great courage and skill. After returning from space, he played a key role in testing and developing Indian aircraft, including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
Dr. N. N. Ramaprasad is a Deputy Superintending Surveyor at the Karnataka Geospatial Directorate, Survey of India. He has more than 20 years of experience working with maps, surveying, satellite images, and GIS technology.
Dr. P. Masilamani is a Geography professor and researcher who studies land, water, cities, and maps using modern technologies such as GIS and satellite imagery. He teaches at Bharathidasan University in Tiruchirappalli and has inspired students for more than a decade.
Dinesh is a community media activist with a background in computer science. For over two decades, he has been part of Janastu and Servelots (janastu.org) in Bangalore. Their focus is on storytelling methods and encouraging people from marginalised communities, especially women, to tell their own stories & document their ways of life.
Neelkantha Nagappa Kurubar is an 83-year-old shepherd from Uchgaon of Belgaum Taluk. He is a spiritual leader who promotes and conserves the Decanni Sheep breed, supports traditional grazing systems, and organizes sheep breeders and wool producers for better markets.
Prof. Maria Thaker is a scientist who studies how animals survive in changing environments. She works at the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science alongside her students.
Surya Sen A V (IFS) born in Madurai, Tamil Nadu is an Indian Forest Service Officer of 2013 Batch in Karnataka Cadre. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of Bannerughatta Biological Park.
Dr. Ramananda Chakrabarti is a Professor at the Centre for Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He was awarded the SwarnaJayanti Fellowship (DST) in 2017-2018. His research focuses on the applications of geochemical and isotopic tracers to understand a wide range of Earth and planetary processes.
Mr. Sunil S. Kulkarni is a scientist at ISRO who uses satellites, maps, and drones to help people during natural disasters like floods and cyclones. He joined ISRO in 2009 and has worked for more than 16 years to support disaster management across India. He has received the ISRO Team Excellence Award for his work.