Story behind

When we went to last year’s SotM Asia, which happened in IIM Bangalore, India, from there it was a desire to attend coming years’ OSM moreover GIS conferences. The reason was nothing else but the exposure to larger community, latest technology, and an opportunity for self development. So this year, it was a desire to attend max. conferences related to OSM. First, I tried for scholarship to SotM Heidelberg. Then I tried for Pista ng Mapa (which happened in August 2019 at Philippines), just because it seems to me South East Asia is more involved in OSM and I wanted to know what’s happening there. Unfortunately fate didn’t give me chance for that. By then, bad news from Heidelberg reached they can’t offer scholarship. Then comes the announcement of SotM Asia happening in November. Applied for the scholarship, and luckily I got the travel scholarship! For Indians, the major cost was for the travel.

Then preparations started! I got the all supporting documents from Sawan. Through booking.com, I got a stay at Hotel Givenci which was very nearby to the venue. Searched for the VISA agencies nearby. Found out a very good agent Lavender Tours & Travels within Trivandrum, Kerala and applied for VISA. Even though, it took almost 2 weeks time, finally I got the first stamping on my passport! :)

Then, the next was a mail from Sawan stating that each Scholars should make a presentation of their valuable contributions. By that time, I got engaged with a group for a leisure trip at North Eastern parts of India. Within the short time, somehow I managed to make a slight one. My worry was on what topic shall I present. Luckily, my mentor Arun M helped me out and he gave a direction to present the social impacts we saw during the execution of our mapping projects.

SotM Days

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