Dear friends,
Sad to hear that Shri M N Seetharaman of NAL has succumbed to Covid-19. I was fortunate to work under him at IIT Madras Central Library where he introduced library automation by developing an in-house LMS package, CDROM network, barcoding, DIALOG online services, and introduced many ICTs, including the present new millennium library building.
The Indian LIS fraternity has lost another library stalwart who will be remembered for his contribution to the development of technical libraries. He was first in the country to introduce the concept of 'library-trainees' and undertaken many library projects at IIT Madras.
Let us pray for his soul to rest in peace. Om Shanti!
Dr. M Koteswara Rao
Hyderabad
________________________________
From: Ishwar Goudar
Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2021 11:49 AM
To: lis-forum
Cc: Francis Jayakanth
Subject: [LIS-Forum] Sad demise of M N Seetharaman, Ex Head, ICAST, NAL
Dear Professionals,
I am very sorry to inform you all that Mr. M. N. Seetharaman (MNS), Ex.
Head, Information Centre, NAL, Bangalore around 1.00 pm yesterday, 22nd
May due to Covid 19. He was 94. He was admitted to Sakra Hospital,
Marathhalli Ring Road 15 days back. He was very active and bold being in
the hospital too. Infact he spoke to me 6 days back from hospital and kept
on sending messages. In between his covid test was negative. But again got
infected including secondary infection along with low BP.
MNS worked with Both Dr Neelakantan foudar Director, NAL and Dr. Valluri
very closely. He played very imporyamt role in setting up of 4'X4' wind
tunnel most important milestone of NAL.
He took information centre to the highest level and served as its Head,
since the setting up Library in 1960s till 1987. He had set up NICDROM at
NAL, under NISSAT. MNS was dreamer and was person who used to put
staircase to sky. Once Dr. Valluri told openly and I quote "If I were to
allow MNS he would have made NAL as subsidiary of ICAST".
Among many firsts to his credit he experimented in collaboration with TIFR
and introduced satellite based Online Information service through European
Space Agency at NAL in 1980s itself. He built exhaustive collection of
Technical Reports. Most of thec ISRO, DRDO, IISc, IIT and other Aerosoace
related institutes were depending upon ICAST sources and services.
Leave alone LIS, he would talk hours together on any topic under the sun
and even beyond. He recruited and trained many colleagues at ICAST.
After retirement from NAL, he served as Special Officer at Library of IIT,
Chennai. He brought ocean changes there to such an extent that IIT Senate
gave him a standing ovation. He hosted 39th ILA Conference at IIT. He
boosted image of Librarianship at IIT. Infact I worked under his guidance
and supervision at IIT.
He only recommenced my name to Prof. Narasimha, then Director, NAL who
offered me the post of Head, ICAST. Then onwards he guided me to provide
quality and state-of-the-art information services.
Till the last hour of getting admitted to hospital he was using Internet
profusely and inform us about new developments.
I lost a friend, philosopher, guide and above all a great human being.
Om Shanthi
💐💐🙏💐💐
--
This message has been scanned for viruses and
dangerous content by MailScanner, and is
believed to be clean.
