User:Mukund Rao

Mukund Kadursrinivas Rao is an expert in Earth Observation (EO), Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and space technology. Dr Rao has 35+ years of unique experience of working  with Indian Government - in senior positions at Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) from 1981 to 2005 and with Indian/global industry in the area of EO, GIS and space.

Presently, he is Adjunct Professor in National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) and Member-Secretary, Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC). Dr Rao continues to Consult in the national and international arena in the area of EO, GIS and Space.

Early Life and Education
Mukund Rao was born in 1959 in Hiriyur (Karnataka, India), and grew up in various cities of India as the son of Kannada parents. His father - KV Srinivas Rao was in government service; his mother - Indira, is a home-maker. Rao attended Kendriya Vidyalaya school in Ahmadabad.

Rao completed his Bachelor's undergraduate work at Gujarat University, studying Geology. He then earned a Master of Science degree in Geology from Gujarat University, Ahmadabad, and a Master of Philosophy degree from the Andhra University. He work on Feature Extraction from high resolution images earned him a Doctorate of Philosophy degree from Andhra University.

Family
Rao married Malini in 1985 and has two children - Mallika and Mayur. His wife is a home-maker and his 2 children are pursuing their life interests of education and profession in USA.

Key contributions
Rao worked for ISRO for 24 years – where he was a key member for the Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) programme and its applications development. He was associated in developing India’s National Natural Resources Management System (NNRMS) programme of user-oriented EO and GIS applications in the country. He initiated (in 1982-83 time-frame) digital image analysis for urban applications using multi-date Landsat images and studied landuse change patters of Ahmadabad city. In his initial interests at ISRO, Rao studied spectral signature data of geological features and used a factorial model for determining best spectral bands to discriminate geological rock formations. He was inducted into the GIS applications activities in ISRO in 1984 - started a study using GIS for multi-layered geological data for Mineral Exploration application.

Rao was one of key person to define and programmatise India’s first large-area GIS programme on Natural Resources Information System (NRIS). Rao was instrumental in working out India’s National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) Strategy and Action Plan and also architecture India’s National Urban Information System (NUIS). Rao was key person to define the Earth Observation-2025 strategy for India. Rao worked on defining, for first time in India, policies for EO, Maps and GIS – he was key person for definition of RS Data Policy in 1999/2000 and Map Policy for India in 1996. He led major national efforts in EO and GIS Standards definition efforts and steered definition of NNRMS EO and GIS Standards and NSDI Metadata Standards in India. Way back in 2002, Rao developed and demonstrated the first NSDI Metadata Portal and outlined its further development. In early 2000, Dr Rao went on to define ISROs Natural Resources Repository (NRR) programme - a suite of 4 major geo-spatial elements to create a Natural Resources Data Base (NRDB) of NNRMS; Natural Resources Census (NRC) programme; Cadastral Resources Database (CRD) - first-ever state-wide cadastral maps referencing programme and development of the NRR Portal for GIS services. In 2003, Dr Rao developed and demonstrated the first National GIS as an inter-agency effort for Planning Commission of India. He continued his efforts in GIS services and developed the first-ever NNRMS Portal - which was dedicated by Honorable President of India in 2004.

In 2005, Rao has switched over to EO/GIS industry – where, as CEO, he brought his EO/GIS expertise for development and implementation of major and large-GIS businesses. Rao led successful GIS solutions for Power-GIS applications in India, Municipal-GIS applications for Indian cities, OneMap development for Singapore, Enterprise GIS development for Ras-Al Khaimah and Ajman emirates in ME, Delhi state SDI design, India’s NSDI Metadata Portal and others. For 2 years, Rao led ESRI products distribution activities in India and made important forays for GIS products and solutions for space department, power GIS application projects and many others.

Now, Rao consults in EO/GIS and Space to government, industry and academia. He was key Consultant for Indian Planning Commission as Expert on National GIS and steered the conceptualization and definition of India’s National GIS programme. He also Chairs the technical implementation committee of state-level enterprise Karnataka-GIS - which he earlier led in design and definition. From 2014, he is steering the Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC), as its Member-Secretary, for innovative knowledge and technology activities - in this role, he has steered the development of Karnataka Sports Policy; Educational Technologies in Higher Education report and is presently steering development of Karnataka State Education Policy. He also provides his technical expertise in EO/GIS product design, development and testing. At NIAS, he has developed major studies/reports on Indian Space Policy assessment, National GIS Standards definition and defining Future Indian Space eco-system.

Professional Contributions
Rao has provided leadership to many national and international activities – he was the founding and first President of the international Global Spatial Data Infrastructure Association (GSDI); Vice-President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF); Member of International Academy of Astronautics (IAA) and International institute of Space Law (IISL) and steered the international Committee on Earth Observations Satellites (CEOS). Rao was key person for the an international study on Space for Peace of the IAA. Rao worked for UN-Office for Outer Space Affairs for organising of UNISPACE-III Conference and has also helped UN-ESCAP for GIS activities. He has been actively involved in establishment and institution-building activities - especially for UN-CSSTEP in India; establishment of NE-SAC of ISRO and furthering growth of many institutions.

Honours and awards

 * Recognized as a “GIS HERO” in ArcNews (www.esri.com)
 * GIS Professional of 2009 Award at the Map India, 2010 Conference
 * National Geospatial Award for Excellence in Spatial Technology of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) in 2009
 * Exemplary Service Medal from international Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) association in 2009
 * Hari Om Ashram's Vikram Sarabhai Young Scientist Award in the area of "Systems Analysis and Management" in 2002.

<!-- ==Bibliography== Rao has more than 230+ publications/reports in his name – including, study reports/publications, peer-reviewed Conference Publications, Journal publications and Project Reports.