Dear Professionals, Sad demise of our dear Ex-President of India Bharatratna Dr. Abdul Kalam has shocked the entire world in general and our country in particular. While typing this message, I am listening to a number of people from different walks of life showing their respects to this great son of India through their condolence messgaes in TV. I would like to quote few interesting instances about Dr. Kalam, seen and experienced when I was working as Head of the Information Centre at NAL, Bangalore. Dr. Kalam was Chairman of Research Council of NAL, when he was Head of DRDO. I would like to quote his sense of humour I witnessed during one of the meeting. NAL had collaborartion with TAAL (Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd). At that time 'Taal' Hindi picture runnung successfully. When discussion came about TAAL, Dr Kalam started singing the song 'Taal se taal mila .....' . The UGC-Infonet Digital Library Consortium was formally launched in December, 2003 by Dr. A P J *Abdul Kalam*, then President of India. In his book 'Ignited Minds', Dr. Kalam recognises knowledge as prime mover of prosparity and power. He supported Digital Library of India (Million Book Project) in a big way. I had an opportunity of making a presentation about NAL Information Centre in the presence of Dr. Kalam. While appreciating our Centre's innovative information services he had advised us set up National Aerospace Library & Information Network. We could never full fill his desire as most of the Aeropsace LICs in India are part of either ISRO or DRDO, wherein confidentiality is of prime concern. I had few opportunities of serving his aerospace information requirements, for which he himself had spoken to me personally. Inspite of being a big man he had the courtecy of writing appreciation letter that too in his own handwriting. I consider myself lucky for having got opportunities for delivering lectures twicein his presence at Metcalfe House, that too once due to his suggestion. He took lot of interest to improve LIS at DRDO. Once I happened to stay in DRDO Guest House, where Dr. Kalam stayed after he was designated as President of India, but not yet assumed President's Office. I tried, but failed to meet him as he had left for TN on the same morning. Then onwards I had glimpse of his looks only in some functions or through media. SOME PUBLICATIONS OF DR. KALAM: 'Wings of Fire', 'India 2020', '2020-Vision for the New Millanium', 'Ignited Minds', 'Turning Points', 'Target 3 Billion', 'Indomitable Spirit', 'Guiding Souls: Dialogues on the Purpose of Life',' My Journey: Transforming Dreams Into Actions', 'THE SCIENTIFIC INDIAN: A Twenty-First Century Guide to the World Around Us', 'The Family and The Nation', 'Spirit Of India', 'Thoughts for Change: We Can Do it', 'Children Ask Kalam', 'Evolution of Enlightened Societies', He has few books in Hindi to his credit. FEW LIS RELATED QUOTES OF APJ: "Digital library is where the past meets the present and creates the future". "Library professionals should begin tailorservices to every user" *“ *Information that is static is of no value * ”.* "Libraries should be integrated with mobile platforms to empower people in the country particularly youths with books and journals" 'Home libraries facilitate harnessing knowledge and harmony among family members'. We librarians should add books of Dr. Kalam to our libraries and also spread his ideals and messages for the benefit of our user community and future generation. We can think of setting up of a Digital Library covering works by him and on him, News Clippings, Audio, Videos, etc. Let us try to inculcate his ideals in our service for the benefit of both the society and profession. Regards, "Access E-Resources for Academic and Research Excellence" *- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -* Dr. I.R.N. Goudar - Adjunct Professor, Mangalore University - Visiting Professor Cum Library Adviser Bangalore University Library, BANGALORE - 560056 - Ex. Visiting Professor Cum Library Adviser, UoM, Mysore - Ex. Scientist 'G' and Head, ICAST, NAL, Bangalore - Ex. Dy Librarian, IITM, Chennai - Ex. Scientist (Information), IICT, Hyderabad - Fulbright Scholar, Univ. of Michigan and Columbia Univ, USA (1995-96) - British Council Scholar (1982-83) E-mail: goudarishwar@gmail.com Tel: 080-23215510 Mob: 91+9611165781 (If not reachable pl try land line) -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.