I can remember now are, Jesudas Manalan, Rame ban on the recruitments by State and CentralGowda, Lokesha, Shivashankara, Cheluvaraju, governments. We all had very tough time duringLohit, and among girls Janaki, Nalini, Brunda, that period. When I met Prof. Mahaeshwarappa andVidhya, Manjula, Vasantha, Vani P. Rao, and Suvarna. explained my situation, he explained the merits andWe meticulously planned the tour well in advance convinced me to join MLISc course. My experienceunder the supervision of Prof. B S Maheswarappa. as a student of MLISc was totally different and itFirst, we visited Hyderabad, where we had the was full of serious study, preparations and toughopportunity to visit BHEL, ICRISAT, NGRI, British competition from classmates. Since all of us areLibrary, Regional Research Laboratory, Centre for very busy with the course, the whole year went offCellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute very fast.of Nutrition, Osmania University and Though the course was completely new to many of us andother important libraries of twin in the beginning, it looked very difficult to understand.cities. We also had an opportunity to However, gradually the subjects became very interestingvisit some important tourist places like and challenging.Golconda Fort, Birla Temple, NehruPlanetarium, Salar Jung Museum,Charminar and others. For our MLISc practical exams, Prof. D Chandran,From Hyderabad we travelled to Madras, from Madurai Kamaraj University, was the externalwhere we had an opportunity to see the USIS examiner. After the examinations he called me andLibrary, British Council Library, Madras University asked if I would like to join as lecturer at MaduraiLibrary, Connemara Public Library, Central Leather Kamaraj University. It was a great surprise to me butResearch Institute Library etc. Our visit to Madras I was in total confusion and was unable to decide.was memorable as we had an opportunity to look Prof. N B Pangannayya, came to my help and askedat Dr. S R Ranaganthan’s chamber, his chair, his me to apply. My winning the gold medal was reallymanuscripts (handwritten library catalogues) a great achievement for me and that infused lot ofin the University library. This visit really helped confidence to take up teaching assignment.us to understand the nature and functioning of I accepted the offer from M K University,different types of libraries and in turn motivated us Madurai. The fundamentals of library science,take more interest in our course. It was really an which I learnt at MyDLIS, came to my help and forinspirational and motivational trip and all our batch this I am so grateful to all my teachers at MyDLIS.mates thoroughly enjoyed. It was a great learning My strong foundation of library science, theexperience for me as a students’ representative and knowledge gained while teaching library science,it actually instilled a lot of interest and confidence added with my continuous hard work helped mein my organising capabilities. to successfully complete my UGC NET for JRFAfter the successful completion of our BLISc and Lectureship in library science during 1989-course, It was a dilemma for me, whether to join 90. After that, I completed two academic yearsthe MLISc or not. Due to the economic downturn, at MK University, I joined the MyDLIS as Guestjobs were becoming scare and there was a total Lecturer during June 1990. During this time all 41
the teachers were very co-operative and helpful. be a part of the team that worked towards formingThe atmosphere was very conducive for learning ‘MyLISA’ under the guidance and leadership ofand we had great time with the senior faculty Prof. Shalini R Urs. As the founder Secretary, Vice-members of the department. All the teachers President, and the President of MyLISA, I servedincluding senior teachers used to go for dinner in the association wholeheartedly and organiseddifferent hotels of Mysore during weekends. So I several professional development activities andhad good opportunity to taste different cuisines of programmes in collaboration with MyDLIS.famous hotels and to know the seniorsmore closely. I still cherish those It was a really inspirational and motivational trip and allwonderful evenings. our batch mates thoroughly fully enjoyed. It was a great Within few months after joining learning experience for me as a student’s representativeas JRF at MyDLIS, I got an offer from and it actually instilled a lot of interest and confidence inNational Academy of Direct Taxes my organising capabilities.(NADT), Nagpur, and since it was aGovernment job, my well wishers advised me to I am very much grateful and thankful to all thejoin the job and do research later. After successfully faculty members of MyDLIS for their continuousserving NADT Nagpur for almost a year, I joined support and encouragement for the success ofCentral Silk Board, Bangalore, where I worked for MyLISA. What I am today in this noble professionnearly 6 years before joining RIE, NCERT, Mysore as is because of MyDLIS. MyDLIS gave me everythingLibrarian during 1997. including my life partner ! After returning to Mysore, my interaction with Long live MyDLIS !MyDLIS was re-established. It was a home comingfor me and I have been very actively participatingin all the activities of MyDLIS. I was fortunate to“What in the world would we do without our libraries?” Katharine Hepburn Libraries are reservoirs of strength, grace and wit, reminders of order, calm and continuity, lakes of mental energy, neither warm nor cold, light or dark…. In any library in the world, I am at home, unselfconscious, still and absorbed. Germaine Greer42
MyDLIS Conspired my Career DestinyAyesha TaranumNexus KIT, Dubai UAE. ([email protected])“And, when you want something, all the universe to Department of Statistics to meet my friends.conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Meanwhile, the academic session started. Prof. Pangannayya, Prof. Nagappa, Prof. Talwar, — Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist Dr. Shalini, Prof. Nikkam, Mr. Chandra Shekar, Mr. Venkatesh, Ms. Indira were so welcoming and This memorable line by Paulo Coelho, quite sums made the subject as simple as it could be and not toup my journey of life. Let me take you through a mention interesting and intriguing. I loved spendingshort ride. long hours in the library reading newspapers from around the country, understanding the new subject Circa 1995 is when history was created in my and experimenting with new knowledge. Duringlife. My aim was clear, to complete Masters at these two years, I unlocked a lot of potential withinManasagangotri, a dream destination for every myself. A lot of activities which happened in thestudent in Mysore. After B.Sc. in Electronics, Department helped me realize my potential as athe next logical step was M.Sc in Electronics, Master of Ceremonies(MC). I had a far off wish tounfortunately this was offered at the Hassan take up these roles. MyDLIS brought forth this aspectcenter, a big no from the family for relocation led of me and how…..I became the default MC for mostme to apply across Departments. Mathematics, of the events which took place during my stint as aPhysics, MCA, MBA, English Literature and on the senior in the department. The biggest of them alllast day of filing the application the Department being the farewell of Prof Nagappa, who was fondlyof Library and Information Science. As luck would called Anna by all the students, his daughter was ourhave had it, I got a seat everywhere except in MBA batch-mate and he ended up being dad for all of us.and MCA. Now that got me thinking, as to where Ishould go. All the while I was guided by my mentor The felicitation function of Prof Nagappa,and guiding light, my late uncle. He kept pushing was a window to us, the students, to meet theme to get into Library Science, promising me a August Alumni of our department. Names we hadgreat career ahead. A prophecy which was to come heard were in front of us and they were such antrue in the coming years! inspiration for all of us to follow on. At the end of the event, the then VC Prof. M. Madaiah, whose With books being love of life, I agreed to get pat on the back at the end of the function saying,in. Without any clue of what is taught in this “Great job” was such a big thing for a youngstercourse, I took up admission and started my two like me. I was floating for a long time after that.years. New friends, new subject, new tension,new apprehensions, everything around was new. As part of the final year, we went on an All IndiaI generally make friends easily but here I was Tour, Prof. Chandrashekar accompanied us. Thisa little off guard and would always run away 43
was a wonderful time, 21 days of excitement and huge impact on me. During this time, I also got toexploration. Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Mumbai, attend a lot of conferences and be part of workingKufri, and Agra were amongst the few places we committees, thanks to Prof. Shalini Urs, Prof. IRNcovered. Apart from being an educational tour, this Goudar and many such luminaries.was also time to get a feel of North India, food One of my inherent qualities is to connectand culture included. This was the first time I saw and explore new avenues. I love to researchthe wonder of world, Taj Mahal….I still cherish and implement and probably this is why I wasthat moment. Nothing can recreate those magical predestined to be a Library and Informationmoments ever again in life. Science student, sifting and scooping for the right Academic year ended with a big bang I loved spending long hours in the library reading newspapersfor me, I topped the course much to my from around the country, understanding the new subjectsurprise and happiness of my family. and experimenting with new knowledge. During these two years, I unlocked a lot of potential within myself. A lot After idling away for a few months, of activities which happened in the Department help meI joined CFTRI as a Project trainee, realize my potential as a Master of Ceremonies (MC).unfortunately not in the Library. After afew months, I got selected at NationalCenter for Science Information (NCSI) information which gives the minutest detail is whatfor the trainee course. My joy knew no bounds since keeps me going. My life and career has been likeI would be under the tutelage of Dr. T B Rajashekar those pieces of puzzle which just fell in place as(Late). He was such an inspiration, a person who and when they need to get connected. I am so gladwould weigh his words and whose effect would last I got into this profession, since this helps me toon you for a long time to come. I had the fortune connect to people, quiz them for their liking andof working with him for the next two years and help them with what they look for.learned so much. Those were the most amazingyears of my career. One event which keeps coming back to my mind Through Dr. T B Rajasekar (late) I had the is the inspirational words of Prof. S N Hegde. Iprivilege of working at Informatics India started by very vividly remember an episode at CrawfordMr. N V Sathyanarayana, who has proved that Hall. This was the interview for the post ofLibrarians can be great businessmen. After year Lecturer at the Department. Prof. S N Hegde wasand half with these stalwarts I joined Deutsche the VC, Prof Talwar was the Registrar. After theSoftware, which later turned to be part of HCL regular questioning rounds by the panel. ProfTechnologies. Here is where I could put in practice Hegde said, you are very young; you are good but,the entire knowledge I gained at the University of …. He stopped for a heavily pregnant pause, meMysore and the Library was a much sought after being the young and restless said, good but not soplace in the company. This tenure helped me good. He was caught off guard. He quickly addedconnect to entire fraternity of librarians across saying, no, you need to get some experience,the country. My seniors at the University and learn the tricks of the trade, gear up to face theNCSI, peers, Professors, teachers, each one left a professional world. Words of advice which always have remained with me.44
Now as an educational entrepreneur based in know. I wish MyDLIS many many more years to comeDubai UAE, I am helping students choose their and may our tribe increase. I take this opportunitycareer paths. After a wonderful roller coaster ride to show my gratitude to my Alma Mater for makingas an information professional, I feelgood to be guiding the youth towards Every day I thank my luck for making me an informationchoosing their desired goals and professional and feel blessed to have interacted andprofessions. The love for books and my worked with stalwarts, most of who are from my Almaprofession keeps pulling me back to mater. A proud feeling which only a mysorean can feel andmy roots. know. I wish MyDLIS many many more years to come andEvery day I thank my luck for making may our tribe increase.me an information professional and me who I am, for unlocking my potential, for lettingfeel blessed to have interacted and worked with me figure out who I am.stalwarts, most of whom are from my Alma Mater.A proud feeling which only a Mysorean can feel and “In the library I felt better, words you could trust and look at till you understood them, they couldn’t change half way through a sentence like people, so it was easier to spot a lie.” Jeanette Winterson “I couldn’t live a week without a private library - indeed, I’d part with all my furniture and squat and sleep on the floor before I’d let go of the 1500 or so books I possess.” H.P. Lovecraft “If television’s a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who won’t shut up.” Dorothy Gambrell 45
My Ever Lasting Memories with MyDLISDinesh K SDeputy Librarian, IIT Roopar, Punjab. ([email protected])I have pleasant memories of my student days used to appear as visitors. I think I was too shy toat the department of Library and Information make friends with female classmates. They seemedScience, which is now acronymed as MyDLIS. After to be a bit serious. Mohan was a serious student,a brief work experience, I joined the department unfortunately he is no more.as part time research scholar. I enjoyed more as a We had amazing teachers. For instancePG student, because then we were all a nice bunch Prof. Nagappa was down to earth; Prof.of students. I got admitted to MLISc without any Khaiser Nikam was intellectual and motivating;future aspiration but just to do a PG. We were atotal strength of 24 students, mostly Throughout my two years of PG, I was not serious atcoming from in and around Mysore; few studies. Mostly I would be in and out of the class, engagedof them from other districts including in chatting with friends; roaming in the library premises;me and one from Tamil Nadu. posing like studying hard. But I was sincere at collecting and During the first week, I came to photocopying notes from my classmatesknow that majority of the classmates Prof. Talawar was simple and well conversanthad opted library science by chance not by choice. with library management; Prof. Shalini Urs usedAfter hearing from them, I too realized the same. to deliver expert IT classes; Prof. PangannayyaI presumed that throughout my two years of PG, Information Storage & Retrieval was exemplary;I was not serious at studies. Mostly I would be in Prof. Chandrashekar was master in DDC; Dr. Venkateshand out of the class, engaged in chatting with was good in Information, Communication & Society.friends; roaming in the library premises; posing likestudying hard. But I was sincere at collecting and My five years of PhD time in the department wasphotocopying notes from my classmates. Mr. Vinay really fantastic and splendid. After enrolling myselfwas real store of study materials/notes. Everyone for a PhD, I repented as to why I missed doingused to be after him to collect and xerox notes. dissertation at PG. My guide Prof. Khiaser Nikam How can I forget the days I spent with Sathya, was meticulous at work and a perfectionist; sheRonald and Umesh. Sathya was my roommate in took all the pain to transform me as a doctorate inthe new PG in second year. He was an excellent Library Science. I can proudly mention that becausecook and bibliophile. The times spent with Ronald my PhD work was done under the supervisionwere unforgettable. He was inspiration for me. I of Prof. Khaiser, Currently, I am working at IITcan still recall the melodious songs of Rangaswamy Ropar. Now I am trying to bridge the gap between& Sivamadaiah who were regular singers on all the theoretical aspects of library science and theoccasions of the department. For me Sunil and Anil current requirement of academic libraries.46
My heartfelt thanks to all at MyDLIS who to wish my department, the very best in thishave contributed for my success. I take this mile stone event. I hope and wish all the alumnusopportunity support the Alma Mater untiringly.“I had found my religion: nothing seemed more important to me than a book. I saw thelibrary as a temple.” Jean-Paul Sartre,“A public library is the most democratic thing in the world. What can be found therehas undone dictators and tyrants: demagogues can persecute writers and tell them whatto write as much as they like, but they cannot vanish what has been written in the past,though they try often enough...People who love literature have at least part of theirminds immune from indoctrination. If you read, you can learn to think for yourself.” Doris Lessing“Few pleasures, for the true reader, rival the pleasure of browsing unhurriedly amongbooks: old books, new books, library books, other people’s books, one’s own books -it does not matter whose or where. Simply to be among books, glancing at one here,reading a page from one over there, enjoying them all as objects to be touched, lookedat, even smelt, is a deep satisfaction. And often, very often, while browsing haphazardly,looking for nothing in particular, you pick up a volume that suddenly excites you, andyou know that this one of all the others you must read. Those are great moments - andthe books we come across like that are often the most memorable.” Aidan Chambers 47
Good Friends are Always close to the Heart!Sheba JesudassAssistant Manager, Information Resource Centre, Tata Consultancy Services, Chennai.([email protected])One fine morning on a bright sunny know that she went home. This convinced me thatday of the year 1996… at Mysore… she was not sociable.I was weeping holding my brother’s hand….Yes Two days passed by, I started talking tothat was the first day I began my life all alone in everyone in the class. All my classmates werea new place with a new set of people. My brother very jovial and affectionate and they made meconsoled me and made me enter a large, spacious feel very comfortable because I was the odd oneclass room of 1stYear MLISc. I saw few boys and girls out, knowing neither Kannada nor Hindi. In theseated in the room. My brother was making signs, first class of Prof. B. Nagappa, he called out myasking me to sit next to a girl who was In first class Prof. B Nagappa, called out my first name LISAsitting all alone in a row. I looked at and told me your name is the abbreviation of Library andher. She looked so pretty yet so proud. Information Science Abstract.I felt reluctant and uncomfortablegoing close to her and so chose to first name LISA and told me your name is thesit with others. Tears filled my eyes with the very abbreviation of Library and Information Sciencethought that my brother would leave me and go Abstract. That moment I looked at that girl bighome far away. Everyone in the class room started headedly, as if I had conquered her proud attitude,introducing each other and was talking in Kannada and thought that I had made her less arrogant. Butwhich I could not understand at that time. that afternoon, when everyone was moving out for lunch she asked me, ‘Sheba, shall I join you LIS department professors came in, wished us for lunch at your hostel?’ I was quite surprised butand made us introduce ourselves to each other. I reluctantly agreed to take her along with me. Shewas least bothered to know the name of the girl came to my hostel room and saw my lunch. Shewith whom I never wanted to be connected. I had spoke little about her family and instead enquiredplanned to make many friends and was trying to about my family and native. The next day after thisfigure out who could be a good friend. Almost meet, I had a surprise waiting for me. She got niceevery girl in the class spoke very cheerfully and non-vegetarian food from home sent by her momI felt reassured that I would be able to make new especially for me. I felt so ashamed of myself andfriends among them. After an hour we were asked realized the meaning of ‘eye of the beholder’. Itto go around the campus. I followed everyone was then that I felt how caring she was. Yes, byand all of us in the class, both boys and girls, sat now all my classmates who read this would haveunder a pleasant tree. Only that girl, who I was guessed the name of that beautiful yet bold girl -uncomfortable about, left the class and we got to48
‘Salma’. Since then I started believing she is a God Chennai in a hostel are nostalgic. Finally we tookgiven gift to me. two roads: I chose to work in Chennai and Salma at She took me to her house, ensured I ate good the Mysore Zoo Library. She was a bridge betweenfood, and safeguarded me always. She always me and my guide Dr. Pangannayya while completingmonitored my whereabouts. She used to visit my M.Phil. Dissertation. She used to promptly getmy hostel at least once, even during weekends his signatures and corrections and convey themjust to give me hot homemade food. We were over phone and by mail. Now I hold an MPhil, Ifound together almost everywhere. If by chance Dr. N B Pangannayya happened to see me alone,If by chance Dr. N B Pangannayya he would immediately ask, ‘where is your mom ‘Salma’?’happened to see me alone, he would She stood by me at all times of happiness, victories, trialsimmediately ask, ‘where is your mom and hardships.‘Salma’?’ She stood by me at alltimes of happiness, victories, trials and hardships. can ride a two wheeler; speak fluently in KannadaWe exchanged books, study materials, and went – all because of her! Though almost a decade hastogether for all interviews. gone by everyone knows I have a friend very close to my heart though she is miles apart. I happen Under the University Librarian Dr. Achyutha to have settled in Chennai and Salma in Dubai. AtRao’s guidance we worked at the University Library any stage of my life I can boldly and loudly sayfor a few months on a project. Prof. Pangannayya Salma is one of the best friends I have ever had.helped us both get that project then. We were I take this opportunity to thank our departmentboth chosen by American Library, Chennai as for the opportunity given to reconnect with suchtrainees. Our times of happiness, joyous moments, wonderful friends again via MILAN.our travel together to my home town, and stay at“The old man was peering intently at the shelves. ‘I’ll have to admit that he’s a verycompetent scholar.’Isn’t he just a librarian?’ Garion asked, ‘somebody who looks after books?’That’s where all the rest of scholarship starts, Garion. All the books in the world won’thelp you if they’re just piled up in a heap.” David Eddings 49
Between Cricket and MyDLISSunil M VLibrarian, Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD), Mysore.([email protected])Time has gone by very fast. I cannot even imagine Prof. M Chandrashekarathat 18 years have passed after the completion of spin, Prof. Khaisermy Masters from MyDLIS. In Gangotri, most of my Nikam bouncers andclass hours and evenings were spent at ‘Downs Tea Googly by others. MyCanteen’ or ‘Gangotri Canteen’, with my Yuvaraja’s friend Shivaram usedCollege batch mates who were from Life Science to say ‘Anna, for alldepartments. This made me pay ‘attendance questions, you startshortage fine’ successively for two years. with Ranganathan’s As is the case for most MILANers for me too it five laws and end withwas a ‘by chance’ entry to the LIS course and not ICT implementation in‘by choice’. I was not aware that such a course library services’.existed in the Master’s Level until my friend Subbi The most unforgettable moment of my student(Subramani, our alumnus, friend) told me that life at MyDLIS was at the ‘Manasa Exhibition’.‘Maga, it is very easy course, need not study too The exhibition made the entire batch to work asmuch. You need common sense to get first class a team. Prof. NBP’s calm instructions “swalpain this degree’. I passed out with a first class. nodi… Chandrashekar swalpa help madi… thindThanks to my teacher Prof. Shalini R. Urs (SRU has tarsuva… thinuva…” Prof. YV’s memorabletaught us many things, she did not just deliverlectures) for giving me permission to I was not aware that such a course existed in the Master’sappear for the examination in Second level until my friend Subbi (Subramani, our alumnus, friend)Year. That “conditional permission” told me that ‘Maga, it is very easy course, need not to study(not mere permission but a serious too much. You need common sense to get first class in thiswarning from my teacher to take the degree’profession seriously) made me take uplibrarianship as my profession. Being an ardent cricket fan, I would like to use the discussion “No baba… Happy Monday… Whatmetaphor to describe the teachings of my teachers. baba, no Englisha…Fridge inside the cockroach”Facing their teaching was like facing a bowler. The and Prof. VGT’s (I don’t know whether it wasYorker was used by Prof. V G Talawar and slow delivery request or set of instructions) “yenri marayareby Prof. N B Pangannayya. Prof. Y Venkatesha used bega kelasa mugsi…VC barthare…” and abovethe Malinga style, Prof. Nagappaa medium pace, all, imitation of faculty members by Sheba Rani,50
Srilakshmi, Savitha, Salma, Ronald, Sathya, My learning with MyDLIS continued even afterUmesh were superb. joining SDM Institute for Management Development We had a Dr. SRR in our batch also; it is (SDMIMD) as a librarian. I was fortunate enough tonone other than Vinay. He was the key source be associated (directly and indirectly) with theof information for all the ‘xeroxed’ material, department in IEEE research study, MyDLIS 40th Yearclass notes and very important for I was fortunate enough to be associated (directly andthe examination. Not only studious indirectly) with the department in IEEE research study,but also very courteous. The timely MyDLIS 40th Year Celebration, COLLNET and most importantlyKannada dialogues by Shivaram, with MyLISA, which is having its secretariat at MyDLISMallikarjuna, Dinesh, Mahadevaswamyduring class hours were the lightmoments we enjoyed. Celebration, COLLNET and most importantly with As experienced by many MLISc degree MyLISA, which is having its secretariat at MyDLIS.holders, I was totally blank and was not aware The involvement made my professional life moreof what to do next. When I asked Mr. Kumar meaningful and relaxed.(research scholar), he guided me to take up the “No matter how much time passes, no matterapprenticeship program at IIMB Library. I learnt what takes place in the interim, there are someabout library management from my teacher and things we can never assign to oblivion, memoriesalumnus of MyDLIS, Sri Chikkamallaiah, Former we can never rub away” -- said Haruki Murakami.Librarian, Indian Institute of Management, Yes, even after 18 years, no matter if we haveBengaluru (IIMB). But the teacher who moulded completed 16 years of our professional life; theremy professional life is Dr. N S Harinarayana, a are some captive memories of MyDLIS and ourguide, friend, well-wisher, professional and a teachers which we can never rub away.good mentor. NSH is the “Key Reference” forwhatever I am today.“It has long been my belief that everyone’s library contains an Odd Shelf. On thisshelf rests a small, mysterious corpus of volumes whose subject matter is completelyunrelated to the rest of the library, yet which, upon closer inspection, reveals a good dealabout its owner.” Anne Fadiman 51
Balancing Sports and Studies: Memories ofMyMLISc DaysMadhu K SAssistant Librarian,National Law School of India University (NLSIU). ([email protected])“There are moments when I wish I could roll back But then how couldthe clock and take all the sadness away, but I have I forget cricket as Ithe feeling that if I did, the joy would be gone as got my seat throughwell.” — Nicholas Sparks, A Walk to Remember sports quota and so I had to represent the At the outset, I must admit that I joined Master University and Postof Library and Information Science (MLISc) not Graduate team. Wellby choice but by chance. I was more into sports we had a very good(cricket) and even wanted to pursue my career college and universityin the game. But that did not happen. One of my team and we alwayscricket teammate’s elder brother was pursuing ended up either as the winners or runners up inMLISc and he suggested the course to me and said finals. So I was spending most of my PG days inthat I can get a job very easily. I now realize that the cricket field or travelling to play matches. Tillit was indeed really good to have friends who had today I think 1999 – 2000 batch holds the recordexperience in the field of Library Science. of winning 5 inter-department tennis ball cricket tournaments in the history of our department. During MLISc I was not studious but I was good at I hope our tennis ball cricket team photo is stillpretending to be very intelligent by sitting in the there on the department class room wall.front row all the time and attempting to answerthe questions asked by professors! But this did not What I am today is because of my teachers,last for long. When the Department conducted my seniors and my classmates. They have alwaysthe first test for freshers after one month, I stood encouraged me to do well in sports. Even mysixteenth out of twenty six students. It was quite teachers helped me to get a sports scholarship.disappointing since our seniors had told us that Since I was representing PG and the Universitywhoever comes first in this test will also go onto Team, attendance for classes was never an issue.get the gold medal in the final exam. The result of However, I never missed my classes except duringthis first test was quite strange also because the the match days. I still remember ours was thetop 5 positions were all taken by girls! However, first batch to get a computer lab. We were soI did not give up hope and started concentrating enthusiastic we used to sit next to each otheras I already stopped fantasizing about a career in and send greetings to one and all. In the yearcricket. 2000, library automation was a very big thing.52
Thanks to our University and Department they with me! To that they replied ‘only 2 small bags’? Iwere able to provide us with computers so that told them since we were going to New Delhi I wouldwe could be well versed in the science of library buy clothes there, as it would be cheaper! I believeautomation. they were quite impressed with my sense of budgetThere were 25 students and we used to help shopping!!each other in collecting and preparingnotes. This warmth and togetherness Till today I think 1999 – 2000 batch holds the record ofwas under threat when the time came winning 5 inter-department tennis ball cricket tournamentsfor elections. There were lot of groups in the history of our department.and inter-group rivalries and evenviolence. Luckily I was away playingcricket matches during that time! Thankfully, once We went first to Hyderabad where we visitedthe election got over we forgot everything and University of Hyderabad which was famous formoved on as before. library automation and then the International I used to miss a lot of practical sessions, Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropicsespecially of classification and cataloguing (ICRISAT) which was a special library. Then wein the first year. But my classmates were very travelled to Delhi. There we visited Defencehelpful by not only in lending me their notes, but Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), Allalso taking time off to teach me some of these India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Britishessential skills. Library and American Central Library. Apart from the study tour we also visited few pilgrimage One of the biggest events of our Batch was the / tourist places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra,15-day Study Tour. We are forever thankful to our Mathura etc. We had a wonderful time in NewProfessor Malinath Kumbar who made this happen. Delhi, especially while shopping as most of myI still remember everyone was so excited to go for classmates were weak in Hindi. I still rememberthat tour and many of my friends’ parents came one incident. One of the girls was asking a sweaterto the railway station to see them off since it vendor to pack 3 sweaters, and she managed towas their first trip. I saw everyone carrying 3 to 4 convey that by mixing Kannada, English and Hindipieces of baggage since it was a long trip. I used in one sentence - Mure (three in Kannada) pieceto travel a lot for cricket and had good experience (English) dhe (give in Hindi)! Someone has rightlyof luggage one should carry. I actually carried 2 said that women love shopping. Our class girlspairs of jeans and a few t-shirts. I still recall that did so much shopping and finally they made theeveryone was worried about me because I reached boys carry all their extra luggage! The tour endedthe railway station just when the train was about with an amusing but a painful incident when ourto leave. When I reached the platform the whole Professor got bitten by a monkey in Haridwar!group of parents started staring at me and startedshooting questions. When the train was about to After the tour, we were soon preparing forleave, a few of my class girls even asked me -- our final exams. The dates got announced andwhere is your luggage?! To their surprise I said it’s the exam fees had to be paid. Our parents had 53
Class of MLISc 2000 in front of Taj Mahal during the Study Touralready spent so much money on our study tour he invited us for dinner and wished us for our brightand many of us were scared to ask more. Luckily future. We reciprocated by presenting a memento,Prof. Kumbar asked us to assemble in our class but I still regret that we did not organize a farewell.and he announced that there was The dates got announced and the exam fees had to be paid.some money left from our study tour Our parents had already spent so much money on our studyand he would distribute that among tour and many of us were scared to ask more. Luckily Prof.us equally. The amount was enough Kumbar asked us to assemble in our class and he announcedto pay our examination fees. that there was some money left from our study tour and he would distribute that among us equally. The amount was Before the exams, the first year enough to pay our examination fees.students gave us a warm farewellsince we had welcomed them to theDepartment. This is indeed a nice tradition and I Finally exams got over, results came and nothope it continues... The farewell was significant surprisingly all the gold medals went to girls. Somealso because few of our class girls had got married of us thought that we should have been moreeven before the exams!! Exams were about to serious while taking the class tests in the beginningstart but we were still busy writing autographs and of the course. However, we have now realizedexchanging our postal address and emails. that life has so much more to offer than just doing One sad thing which hurts me even today is that well in exams! Nothing matches the exuberancewe had planned to give a warm farewell to one of our with which every day I look forward to learningsenior professors, but it could not be done. In fact something new in the Library!54
My Reminiscence of MyDLIS DaysManju NaikaAssistant Librarian at Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay. ([email protected])When I was doing my graduation at Maharaja students to thinkCollege, Mysore, I used to come to Manasagangotri out of the boxcampus occasionally with my seniors.Those visits and look at thingsattracted me to study at Gangotri Campus after from a differentseeing that beautiful campus greenery with various angle. Students areplants/trees, coolweather surrounding academic students, whetherdepartments and Downs Canteen etc. During school they are KG studentsdays my ambition was to become a teacher but due or PG students. Thatto some reasons I could not get admission to any is the age we do notteacher training courses. Since library science is know what is rightrelated to the education sector, after my graduation and wrong and enjoyed the thrill of breaking classin commerce I joined MLISc programme at MyDLIS rules and regulations.I still remember how a fewin 2001. MyDLIS introduced the first new semester of us used to bunk the classes, submitted photoscheme of MLISc with revised curriculum based copies as assignments, and switch off the mainon industrial needs in 2001. My first few days at power supply to the classrooms in order to stopMyDLIS were horrible as all library science papers power point presentation of student seminars. Mywere completely new subjects not only to me, but most memorable days at MyDLIS were my seminaralso to many of my classmates as well. We did not days where I received best compliments fromhave any basic knowledge of Library Science prior to my classmates, seniors and teachers for my bestjoining this course. In the beginning I was irregular presentation. Another most memorable day forto the classes as well. In each semester we had all our classmates was a day in 4th semester whento submit five assignments; prepare Prof. Shalini hosted high-tea party for our entirefor five tests, submit some homework Another most memorable day in many of my classmatesassignments and take final exams for was one day in 4th semester when Prof.Shalini madam,five papers during four months period. provided high tea party for our entire class she was oneNot able to cope with this tough of the toughest teachers at MyDLIS, it was very difficult tosemester schedule I was toying with satisfy such a teacher as she expected highest perfectionsthe idea of quitting the course! and standards in whatever we did MyDLIS used to organize Friday Talk class. She was one of the toughest teachers atand some special invited talks on other days given MyDLIS, it was very difficult to satisfy such aby guests. One of my most favorite events was teacher as she expected highest standards andto attend the Friday Talk which inspired the 55
perfection in whatever we did. Our entire class After MLISc from MyDLIS I worked in Centralreceived complements for this from our seniors Institute of Indian Languges, Mysore as a Resourceand teachers for the honour of getting a tea party Person, and then served as an Assistant Officer athosted by such a teacher. That day we realized VTLS software Pvt Ltd. Currently I am working asthat it seems to be at 4th semester we have Assistant Librarian at Indian Institute of Technology,reached a certain standard which Prof. Shalini Bombay.expected from us. Prof. V G Talwar, Chairman and I realized that it is not only a certificate to get job ratherProfessor who is a very simple and its transformation of students into responsible citizen of thedown to earth person, soft-spoken was society. I appreciate the efforts of MyDLIS teacher’s dedicationmy beloved teacher and mentor. His and their perseverance for preparing the best library scienceadvice, lecture and his reference made graduates in India.tremendous positive impact on my life.I am very proud about the fact thatpersonality like Prof. V G Talwar and Prof. Shalini I assumed that MyDLIS trains students just to getR Urs were my teachers. Teaching methods of a Librarian job. Now I realize that it is not onlyProf. Harinarayana, and Prof. Indira B C were a certificate to get job but also a transformationexcellent who were teaching Information of students into responsible citizens of theTechnology and Knowledge Organization papers society. I appreciate the efforts, dedication andin a very simple way. I also remember the perseverance of MyDLIS teachers in preparing thediscussions and classes of Prof. Mallinath Kumbhar, best library science graduates in India.Prof. M Chandrashekar, Prof. Kaiser Nikam, and I treasure every moment I have spent at MyDLIS,Prof. Venkatesh who were very friendly with all and remember my teachers and friends who madeof us. Two supporting Staff, Mr. Purushotham and MyDLIS days memorable.Mr. Allam were really helpful and supportive ofstudents. “We can imagine the books we’d like to read, even if they have not yet been written, and we can imagine libraries full of books we would like to possess, even if they are well beyond our reach, because we enjoy dreaming up a library that reflects every one of our interests and every one of our foibles--a library that, in its variety and complexity, fully reflects the reader we are.” Alberto Manguel56
MYDLIS P. S. MANJUNATHA (2003-05 Batch student) LIBRARIAN B.N.M. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY BANGALOREMYDLIS DLIS Juniors MYDLIS 57
Seniors Juniors Seniors DDC & UDC Round-Canteen Presentation Final Project. DLIS King King Maker Great. MYDLIS 58
My Days at MyDLIS: Two ReflectionsVasanth Raju NLibrarian, Govt. First Grade College, Periyapatna. ([email protected])Classes that Foretold the Future of The InformationInformation Retrieval (third semMy admission to MLISc is accidental, just like ester) and Informamany of my classmates. But in the beginning,the interdisciplinary nature of the subjects tion Society (fourtharoused some interest in me. The Foundation toInformation Science classes (in the first semester) semester) bothhandled by Prof. Shalini Urs was very stimulating asshe was bringing her rich experience to juxtapose papers handled byliterature, information science, library scienceand other subjects to make us understand the Ms. Indira was alsonature of information from an interdisciplinaryperspective. stimulating because she also introduced us to read non-fic tion works such as Third Wave, The Future Shock written by Alvin Toffler, Peter Drucker’s works on Knowledge industry, Vannevar Bush’s classic article “As We May Think” which shaped the worldWe were introduced to Derek deSolla Price’s of today’s information retrieval techniques. Apart“Little Science, Big Science”, J C R Licklider’s from this, there was encouragement for questions,“Libraries of the Future” and Englebart’s idea comments and discussions.of world encyclopaedia kind of classic works to Unicode (encoding system for representingunderstand the changing nature of the availability different language in computers) was introducedof information (analog to digital) and also the for us way back in 2002. It took us sometime tochanging nature of the container of information. understand the concept. Now we realized theWe were also told about SPARC (The Scholarly importantance of Unicode for interoperablePublishing and Academic Resources Coalition), purpose and representing vernacular language inBioOne (a non-profit publisher that What I am trying to reflect here is that the syllabus wasaims to make scientific research more ahead of its time. We were always exposed to new conceptsaccessible) and ArXiv, one of the and technologies that influence library and informationearly open archive initiatives, which sciencelater revolutionized the scholarlycommunication models. We werelucky to be introduced to new concepts, latest all kinds of gadgets. Dr. N S Harinarayana useddevelopmentrs and cutting edge technologies in our to demonstrate to us how Kannada script can befield early in the formative stage of their evolution represented in computers. 59
What I am trying to reflect here is that the We got treated in one of the private hospitals insyllabus was ahead of its time. We were always Sulya. There was complete gloom while we lookedexposed to new concepts and technologies that at each other wondering what to do next. Localinfluence library and information science. This people in Sulya who had seen the damaged vehicleequiped us to understand the changing world of started to flock at the bus stand to see us.information. Finally we decided to hire another vehicleThe Accident that I cannot forget and continued the trip although some of us wereIt was in our last semester that our class reluctant. The fear was there in all our faces. Wedecided to take a two-day trip in Coastal Karnataka had wild thoughts – “what if we meet a similarto make our student days memorable. All of us fate”? Fortunately the driver seemed to beexcept one or two classmates decided We were thrown out of our seats, the front glass andto take the trip in Feb 2004. It was windowpanes of the vehicle were broken into pieces. Wewell planned with Pradeep Kumar U.M. slowly tried to come to terms with the accident. Some of ustaking all the responsibilities for travel got injured but fortunately none were very serious. We stillarrangements. wonder how on earth we were able to escape such a horrific incident with only minor injuries We set off on the night of 14thFebruary 2004. All was fine until theearly hours of the morning at 5.00 AM experienced and assured us a safe journey. Onon that fateful day. We met with a terrible accident the evening of 15th Feb we were in Kapu Beachnear Sulya. Passers-by thought that there were in Udupi. The time was right. It was twilight andsome serious casualties. It took sometime for us to a very soothing environment. All of us got backunderstand what had happened. We were thrown the energy we had lost in the morning and wentout of our seats, the front glass and windowpanes swimming in the sea.of the vehicle were broken into pieces. We slowlytried to come to terms with the accident. Some We all had a very joyful evening and totallyof us got injured but fortunately none was very forgot the incident. We stayed in Udupi and visitedserious. We still wonder how on earth we were able Sringeri and Belur the next day and safely reachedto escape such a horrific incident with only minor Mysore on the 16th evening.injuries. With pain and some kind of dejection we Till date except my classmates (2002-2004)walked towards the Sulya Bus stand. Murgesh was and few junior students (2003-2004) no faculty inlooking for the vehicle driver and his assistant. the Department knew of this incident and in factThey had escaped from the spot immediately and they did not even know that we had gone for awere nowhere to be seen. trip without the permission of the Chairman of the The girls were in agony and busy contacting their Department!families. Some wanted to return to Mysore soon.60
Transformation of an average student into athorough professional: My journeySrinivas P SSr Consultant, Project Management Office (PMO), Capgemini. ([email protected])“Books alone are liberal and free; they give to Fundamentals:all who ask; they emancipate all who serve themfaithfully.” Faculties introduced him to fundamen- A note in Library @ Los Angeles tals of Information Science, informationPre LIS days: resources, informa- tion technology andSrinivas is an energetic, helpful, talkative and content managementeasy going kind of person who completed his (CM) which becamebachelors from Yuvaraja’s College of Mysore and his favourite field. Butwanted to pursue Master of Social Work (MSW) back then he was not aware that his future careerfrom the University of Mysore. Unfortunately it would be on CMS, KMS and records managementdid not materialize due to his amazing scores in related fields in multi-national companies (MNC) inhis bachelors and CET. As per his opinion, joining India and USA.Library and Information Science (LIS) is the lastoption for students who do not get seats in the Seminars: lesson learntdisciplines of their interest. He joined LIS courseafter failing to get a seat in MSW. As he was a fearless and talkative person, presenting seminars using OCR sheets was funFirst Day in LIS: and not that difficult during the course. However every individual at times becomes over confidentJune 16, 2003, if I recall correctly, Professor and commits mistakes. He was also punished toV.G. Talwar, Vice Chancellor, University of Mysore present a second time on synchronization and non-introduced him to the field of LIS fundamentals synchronization in the 2nd semester.through Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC 21Edition) at 2:00 PM and completed at 7:00 PM. Early exposure to cataloguing @That day he never forgot because he realized the Rangayana library, Mysore –beauty, struggle, future, success, excellence ofLIS. He had not anticipated that on day one Prof. Mentors: He was aware that the role of mentorsVGT would conduct such an extensive, elaborative is the most vital part in one’s career. Heclass on classification. considered Dr. N S Harinarayana as his mentor and took his guidance at all times who gave him 61
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