The inaugural was a grand and meaningful event. The dignitaries were ushered into the auditorium with a traditional welcome and guard of honour. The conference was initiated through a melodious rendering of the invocation by the students, followed by the lighting of the lamp by the eminent guests on the stage. The august gathering was welcomed by the dynamic organising convenor, Dr Vishala BK, Chief Librarian, St Agnes College. In her welcome address, she spoke of the conference as a dream come true, and the presence of Dharmadikari Shri Dr D Veerendra Heggade, as the fulfilment of a long-cherished hope. A classical Bharatanatyam performance enhanced the heartfelt welcome. She informed the audience that Dr Devika Madalli was the first from Karnataka and the first woman to be director of INFLIBNET.
The inauguration was done digitally as Shri Dr D Veerendra Heggade and the other dignitaries who pressed the switch of a mechanical contraption from where emerged a magnificent plaque of Dr SR Ranganathan, the Father of Library Science in India. In his inaugural address, Shri Dr D Veerendra Heggade enlightened the audience about the 7500 odd palm leaf manuscripts and books by M K Gandhi that are part of the Dharmastala library. Emphasizing the role of the library as a resource centre, he said that books should not just be collected and preserved but also read. What we read and understand in the library may not be of immediate use, but may come to mind even decades later. While digital technology has enabled us to acquire any resource that we need, we must rely on our own intelligence, he said, and use the brain which is more powerful than AI. He congratulated the conference organisers for choosing a relevant topic as empowerment is what changes a situation for the better. He gave credit to writers such as those of comics for imagining space journeys and life outside the earth even before the scientists did. The relevance of a conference like this is in the ability of research to generate ideas. In his highly edifying message, commended St Agnes College for the many firsts that it had to its credit, and concluded by expressing his happiness that digitalisation had brought about a great revolution in the field of library and information science, particularly in the preservation and availability of works from the distant past.
Professor Devika P Madalli, too, spoke about the relevance of the conference topic as the main idea of knowledge-based societies is about empowering minds. The educator must be conscious of the responsibility of how knowledge is taken to the user as the long-term effect is the creation of a knowledge-based society. An important task of the departments of library and information science in India is the preservation, interpretation and use of indigenous knowledge and ancient knowledge foundations which constitute a unique heritage of our country. She concluded by congratulating the library and information science community for their resilience to the changes that have taken place in the field.
The inaugural also witnessed the release of three publications. The first, an edited volume of selected research articles submitted for this conference, was introduced by Dr Gopakumar, Head, Knowledge Centre, Digital University, Kerala. He informed the audience about the stringent selection and review process for the articles submitted and that the book has been given an ISBN number. He also briefed the audience on the second publication, a souvenir which includes messages for the conference from dignitaries and sponsors.
Dr PV Konnur, President, LIS Academy, Bengaluru, briefed the audience on the third publication – The first issue of Grameena Granthalaya, published by the LIS Academy and stressed on the support necessary for rural libraries.
The Guests of honour included Dr PY Rajendra Kumar, Former Director General of the National Library Kolkata, and Shri Satish Kumar S Hosmani, Director, Department of Public Libraries, Bengaluru, who mentioned the success of the digital central library in Karnataka which has more than three lakh subscribers in his address. Shri Satyanarayana NV, Founder Director, Informatics India Ltd., Bengaluru and Guest of Honour noted the connection of the theme of the conference with Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy, specifically in the emphasis on the power of the mind. Dr MK Bhandi, Former University Librarian, Mangalore University, Mangalore, congratulated St Agnes College on its achievements and said that this international conference would be one of the many ways in which the college has empowered minds. Dr Khaisar Muneebulla Khan, Professor, Department of Library and Information Science, Yenepoya (Deemed to be) University, Mangaluru appreciated Dr Vishala, the organising convenor, for having raised the level of the librarian through her constant perseverance and innovative efforts. Dr Krishnappa H, President, KSCLA, Bengaluru, spoke about combining technology and library resources for the benefit of the users. They were the other Guests of Honour.
The Principal of St Agnes College, Sr Dr Venissa A C described the conference as a platform where minds are filled with flames of inquisitiveness and creativity, and where research is able to nurture the individual academically while simultaneously facilitating collaboration for the betterment of society. In her Presidential address, Sr Dr Maria Roopa AC, Joint Secretary, St Agnes institutions, pointed out that the theme of the conference reminds us that education is a journey of encouragement, and connects cultures and creates progress.
Dr Professor Devika P Madalli, Director, INFLIBNET gave the Keynote Address which was on the topic “Creating Knowledge-Based Ecosystem”. She began with a brief look at the trinity of stakeholders and highlighted the role of library and information centres as links between the knowledge creators and knowledge users. She went on to delineate the major activities and services of INFLIBNET, informing the audience of the role of Vidya- Mitra ( for E-learning) which includes E-Pathshala and SWAYAM programmes, and E-Shodh Sindhu- a consortium for higher education electronics resources, an initiative of the Ministry of Education. The various academic projects and roles played by INFLIBNET, Shodh Chakra-A Gateway to Researchers for Resources, and the several LIS and ICT skill development programmes of INFLIBNET were included in her presentation. She concluded by touching upon the awards and recognitions of INFLIBNET and the initiatives for the upcoming roadmap of the organisation.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks by Mrs Shubarekha, Dean Administration, St Agnes College. The inaugural programme was skilfully compered by Dr Malini Hebbar, Professor Emeritus, St Agnes College.
