By Dr Surjeet Singh Khaira
Last week, I read an interesting article on the ‘Atlas’ based on the experiences of Mr Atul Rawat, published on 19 June 2026 in the Garhwal Post. As a retired Geography teacher, I found the article both informative and inspiring.
An atlas is much more than a collection of maps. It provides a quick and comprehensive understanding of the world and remains one of the most important tools for learning Geography. In fact, the study of Geography is incomplete without an atlas.
I had the privilege of teaching Geography for many years at one of the city’s reputed residential schools. During this time, I developed a valuable collection of atlases, ranging from the oldest, Philip’s Atlas (1932), to modern editions. The collection includes the Survey of India Atlas, the Philip’s Atlas of the World, the Reader’s Digest Atlas, the Dorling Kindersley Atlas, and many others. Today, my collection comprises more than 40 atlases from a variety of publishers.
I still remember how our teachers advised us to always carry three essential tools in the classes: a dictionary for English, a geometry box for Mathematics, and an atlas for Geography. An atlas helped students understand countries, capitals, mountains, rivers, oceans, climate, environment, and economic wealth of the countries through well-organised maps and charts.
However, during the last three decades, digital technology has transformed the way we access geographical information. With Google Maps and other digital tools, it takes only less than seconds to locate a place, identify a capital city, or study geographical features. Anyone with a smartphone can truly say, “Duniya Meri Mutthi Mein”. Digital atlases, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), online maps, and GPS services provide real-time information and make navigation easier than ever before. Although digital gadgets have made life extremely comfortable, an important question remains: while digital technology saves time, does it enhance our ability to think and learn?
For a deeper understanding of Geography, the traditional atlas still has great value. Finding information with a single click is convenient, but turning the colourful pages of an atlas and discovering places on your own brings a unique sense of excitement and satisfaction. Holding an atlas creates a personal connection with the subject that technology cannot fully replace. An atlas encourages concentration, imagination, and a better understanding of geographical relationships. It also reduces digital distractions and promotes deeper learning and emotional involvement.
It would be interesting to know how many schools today still encourage students to use atlases regularly. Unfortunately, in today’s education system, many students consider an atlas an extra burden. It should be regarded as an essential tool for learning geography from Class VI to Class XII, alongside digital resources.
Even in the digital age, an atlas remains a reliable reference tool. It helps learners visualise geographical facts clearly and develop a deeper understanding of the Earth’s physical and human environments. Thus, the atlas has evolved from a printed collection of maps into a valuable educational resource that continues to complement modern technology in our everyday lives.
