The root of this problem is very similar to the Section 377 case (refer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_377_of_the_Indian_Penal_Code)
The laws and attitudes in place regarding this case are ancient and in present circumstances, wrong. They do the country more harm than good. Going by these laws, even something as beneficial as a GPS locator that can save lives of lost travelers and disaster victims, can be deemed illegal. Hence, if we use common sense, we can conclude that these laws are in fact illegal and detrimental to India and its citizens. Maybe a more precise and updated form would be correct, but presently it's in the wrong.
Just my opinion: falsified representation of areas as belonging to India when they're not really in Indian control, can be interpreted as lying to the people and grand treason. I would see it as equivalent to lying about the country's GDP or poverty figures just to pretend being in the clear. If we cannot accept one then why accept the other? If Indians were shown the reality, we might just empower the coming generation to do something about it and they might actually live to see these areas return back to Indian control one day. By consistently being ignorant of it for decades, the previous generation has lost that opportunity.
So I think the answer is easy and simple - it will be implementation that I guess can be a little humbling. I think the best message that Indian wikipedians can give right now is passive non-co-operation : remove all the maps of our country from Wikipedia that come under question and make it known to all that we will rather go map-less than lie to our fellow citizens or to the world.
Cheers, Nikhil Sheth +91-966-583-1250 Pune, India Teach For India http://www.teachforindia.org/ Fellow, 2011-13 www.nikhilsheth.tk Find me on: Twitter http://twitter.com/nikhiljs | Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/nikjs| LinkedIn http://in.linkedin.com/in/nikhiljs | Google http://www.google.com/profiles/nikhil.js| RangDehttp://www.rangde.org/investor/nikhilsheth Join me on: Pune Documentary Clubhttp://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=138497769525636| Let's Do it Pune http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-do-it-Pune/103857326346659 | Toastmasters in Punehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Toastmasters-in-Pune/148767611833746| Wikipedia For Schools projecthttp://education.wikia.com/wiki/Wikipedia_For_Schools_Offline_Edition
On Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 6:20 PM, Gautam John gautam@prathambooks.orgwrote:
This isn't an easy question to answer:
There is the National Map Policy and the Guidelines:
http://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/tenders/National Map Policy.htm
Which states:
"Export of all maps/digital data in 1: 250K and larger scales through any means is prohibited vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) Notification No. 118-Cus./F.No.21/ 5/62-Cus. I/VIII dt. 4th May 1963. Digital Topograhical data will be licensed to only Indian individuals, organisations, firms or companies."
However, I do not know if this means maps/digital data built upon SoI maps or *any* maps so created or what the definition of export it. My reading, OSM/Google Map Creator et. al. might violate this where the resolution is "1: 250K and larger". If I understand correctly, most maps on Wikipedia about India should be okay. Or where the map is created outside of India.
And this is problem number 1.
Then there is this:
"In addition, the SOI is currently preparing City Maps. These City Maps will be on large scales in WGS-84 datum and in public domain. The contents of such maps will be decided by the SOI in consultation with Ministry of Defence."
No idea what they mean by public domain and this is problem 2.
http://www.surveyofindia.gov.in/instructions.html#LEGAL
Which is just rather difficult to parse. AFAIK, it is illegal to *show* a map, in India, that does not conform to the SoI principles.
One option - show more than one map, which is purely a risk mitigation exercise. Or, show one map to those coming from Indian IPs - I don't even know if this is possible. Third, lobby for a change of rules which is unlikely in the short term.
More when I learn something new.
Thank you.
Best,
Gautam ________ http://social.prathambooks.org/
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