Village Resource Centres (VRCs) were established by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) as part of its societal mission of bringing space-based services emanating from Satellite Communication (SatCom) and Earth Observation (EO) to rural society. While SatCom provides the method for an effective delivery of information and services across vast regions, EO provides community-centric information regarding geo-referenced land records; natural resources; the environment; sites for exploiting ground water for potable use and recharging; wasteland and reclamation; watershed profile; and cropping patterns. It can also provide customized local area information. These systems are very useful for predicting disaster, giving early warning and vulnerability-related information.
ISRO has undertaken the mission of assisting the VRC programme with a portfolio of services which are being established in collaboration with forty partner agencies across twenty-two states. A total of 473 VRCs have been set up with plans for rapid expansion in the future. Each VRC essentially has digital connectivity; specialty health care providers enabled via the Indian National Satellite System (INSAT); Spatial information on natural resources facilities for primary health care and distance education.
Find a word from the passage that means the same as 'to assume things before it happens'.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Prediction
A prediction is a statement of what will happen in the future, made before it happens. The passage says that these systems are very useful for "predicting disaster" and giving early warning.
Example: The weather office's prediction of heavy rain proved correct.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: Communications — Incorrect. Communication is the sending and receiving of messages, as in "Satellite Communication"; it says nothing about the future.
Example: Mobile phones have made communication quick and cheap.
Option 2: Observations — Incorrect. An observation is the act of watching something carefully to learn about it, as in "Earth Observation"; it concerns what is happening now.
Example: The patient was kept under observation for a day.
Option 3: Information — Incorrect. Information means facts or knowledge about something; it is not a forecast.
Example: The website gives information about train timings.