Mangalore: Librarians’ Day Celebrated at SDM College - Oscar Feted

Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS/SB) 

Mangalore, Oct 20: Dakshina Kannada & Kodagu Library Association, Udupi in association with SDM College of Business Management here celebrated the Librarians’ Day to commemorate Padmashree Dr S R Ranganathan on his 119th birth anniversary at the college conference hall on Wednesday October 20.

In his inaugural address, Oscar Fernandes, chairman, Parliamentary Committee HRD said that he is happy to be associated with the programme as even he too had worked as a librarian of Jolly Club in Udupi in his early days and added that a good library in college or university is similar to that of vigorous cattle at an agriculturist’s house. A college where library is prioritized is considered as a superior college, just as the prosperity of agriculture relies upon how well the cattle is looked after.

He called upon everyone to inculcate the habit of reading books of their choice in order to gain knowledge. He said that a ‘library movement’ should be brought about in the nation as reading habits are declining. He coined library as ‘Ekalavya’ as there is no ‘Guru’ to teach but one has to read and gain knowledge by personal effort. He also enthralled the gathering by playing mouth organ before he started his speech.

Oscar Fernandes and his wife Blossom, and George Rodrigues, librarian, St Aloysius College, were felicitated on the occasion for their contribution to the field. 

Dr Devaraj K, joint director, Collegiate Education, presided. Dr Rekha D Pai, senior librarian, MIT, Manipal delivered the vote of thanks. Prof T H Eranna, regional joint director, department of collegiate education, Mangalore was the guest of honour.

Blossom Oscar Fernandes, Prof A K Baradol, chairman, department of library and information science and syndicate member of Mangalore University, Dr Vishala B K, secretary and S G librarian, St Agnes College, and Dr Manjunath K, president, chief librarian, TAPMI, Manipal among others were present.

Political Situation in State - Azad Might Intervene

Earlier, speaking to presspersons about the ongoing political drama in the state, Oscar said that Congress will take careful steps within the boundary of law. He also said that union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad may interfere in case the situation is not properly handled by the state Congress leaders.