TIGS started as The Indian Institute of Geographical Studies, a project, in 2000. Its originator is geographer Dr Chandra Shekhar Balachandran who has been working in the field of education since 1982.
TIGS was started in response to the dire need of upgrading geography education to help meet the needs of students and young adults of the 21st century.
Our work has been going in many forms including, but not limited to:
- Interactive geography workshops for students (from diverse socio-economic backgrounds), teachers and parents; in Kannada and English, with Tamil to be offered in the near future.
- Public lectures on topics connected to geography
- Geography-related documentary film-screenings with interactive engagement
- Regular writings on geography topics in the popular press
- Field experiences for school students
- National Geography Youth Summit (NGYS) held in June 2014
- Starting four GeoVidyaa Geography Centres as hubs of innovative geography education
The Institute of Geographical Studies, a charitable trust in Bangalore in March 2015 (Reg. #: 208/14.15).
(The word “Indian” was dropped from the name in compliance with Government of India rules; “Indian Institute of” is permitted only for GoI or GoI-sponsored organizations.)
Dharani USA
Dharani USA, Inc. [established in 2000] is a sister organization to TIGS, that raises support for the work of TIGS in India.
Dharani USA, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization under U.S. Income Tax rules and contributions to it are tax-deductible.