Dear Friends: You are invited: Madras Library Association (MALA) & South India National Association & Ranade Library Invite you On the occasion of National Library Week Celebrations to a talk by Mr. Maalan (Writer, Journalist) on Socio Cultural Impact on Reading On Friday, November 18, 2005 at 6.00 p.m. at Gokhale Shastri Institute, K.N. Shanmugasundaram Hall , Old No.16, Karpagambal Nagar, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 Maalan is a well respected writer and a popular broadcaster who has traveled extensively. He has the distinction of leading premier Tamil journals as their editor at a very young age. He was a regular broadcaster for the BBC World Service. He earned his Masters degree in journalism at the University of Florida , Gainesville . Mr. Maalan joined the Sun Network in 1999 and launched the 24 hours bi-lingual news channel 'Sun News' in May 2000. Earlier he was the Editor for Kumudham, a popular Tamil Weekly. Prior to that he was the Editor of prestigious Tamil daily 'Dinamani'. He was responsible for launching the Tamil edition of the all India publication India Today (then a fortnightly) and served as its editor. Microsoft has recognized him as a Most Valuable Professional for his contribution towards localization of its software. He is actively involved in various social development initiatives that include empowerment of woman through Panchayati Raj and localization of computer soft wares. Maalan is the Co-founder AGNI, which strives for national integration. Program 5.30 p.m. - Tea 5.50 p.m. - Welcome address by Dr. A. M. Swaminathan, President, SIMA & Ranade Library 5.55 p.m. - Introduction of the Speaker by M. K. Jagadish, Treasurer, MALA 6.00 p.m. - Talk by Mr. Maalan 6.40 p.m. - Interaction with the Guest Speaker 6.55 p.m. - Vote of Thanks by L. R. Gowri, Secretary, MALA