Topic:                Remembering Padma Shri B S Kesavan & His Professional Contributions

Speaker:            Mr. L J Haravu, Trustee, Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management

Presided By:      Dr. Khaiser Nikam , Chairperson, Department of Library & Information Science, University of Mysore, Mysore.  

Organisers:        Karanataka State Library Association (KALA) and Department of Library & Information Science, University of Mysore, Mysore.  

 

KALA (Karanataka State Library Association) and Department of Library & Information Science, University of Mysore, Mysore joined hands to celebrate Padma Sri B S Kesavan's Birth Centenary Celebrations (1909-2000) on Saturday 30th May 2009. Shri. L J Haravu, Trustee, Kesavan Institute of Information and Knowledge Management (KII&KM) was the invited speaker for the occassion the topic was "Remembering Padma Shri B S Kesavan & His Professional Contributions".

 

In his talk Sri L J Haravu made a detailed exposition about the life and works of BS Kesavan, B S Kesavan obtained his MA degree from Birbeck College, London University. Later, he obtained diploma in Library and Information Science course as well. He served as lecturer of English at the Maharaja's College, Mysore. Among his favourite students, Sharada Prasad (Former press secretary to late Prime Ministers Smt. Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi) and Padma Vibushan Veena Doraiswamy Iyengar were his students. As a teacher, B S Kesavan, was for stickler for rule and a disciplinarian, hence would not allow his students to come in late. B S Kesavan shared a unique teacher student bond among his students. Incidently when Veena Doraiswamy Iyengar was awarded padma vibhushan by the Government of India, before he went to receive the award in Delhi, Veena Doraiswamy Iyengar went to the residence of B S Kesavan and played the veena - said Haravu.

 

As a visionary B S Kesavan changed the Imperial Library to National Library of India in Calcutta. The speaker mentioned that Moulana Azad and Prof. Humayun Kabeer were B S Kesavan's mentors and staunch supporters. B S Kesavan took initiative and worked very hard for converting the Belvedere House, the residence of the viceroy, for the national library. He was also responsible for the enactment of the "Delivery of Books Act", Establishment of central reference library, The publishing of Indian National Bibliography, another contribution is settig up of INSDOC (Now NISCAIR) at New Delhi. He was also responsible for starting of National Science Library, Indian Science Abstarcts and NUCSSI. B S Kesavan was also responsible for starting Associateship in Information and Documentation (AID) course in INSDOC. His services were used by UNESCO, WHO, IFLA, UGC, Planning Commission and Ministry of Education. He served as visiting professor at Delhi university. 4 volumes on the History of Printing and Publishing in India were the testimony for his love for Librarianship and publishing. Even at the age of 80 he exhibited unique dedication in bringing out this work.

 

Padma Shri B S Kesavan was endowed with scholarship, genius for institution building and the capacity to take people with him in meeitng the goals. Sri Haravu in his talk said, that he was a true "karma yogi", who worked day and night without expecting anything in return for his labour.

 

"Padma Shri B S Kesavan, was a confident, courageous, bold and very vibrabnt professor who was a great oretor and made his teaching extremely dramatic" said Dr.Khaiser Nikam in her presidential remarks, she recalled her association with B S Kesavan, when he frequently visited the Department of Library & Information Science, University of Mysore, Mysore and also delivered the prestigious prasaranga lectures on the theme of "printing and publishing in india". She also read out the message sent by Prof. P B Mangala, Former Head, DLISc , Delhi University, who appreciated the celebrations and was happy that the values are being perpetuated. Anad T Byrappa, General Secretary KALA welcomed the gatherig, Dr. M Chandra Shekara, Reader, DLISc, Mysore University, Mysore  proposed the vote of thanks, Ms. H S Ashwini, 4th semister LIS Student, rendered invocation. Many Local LIS professionals and students of DLISc attended the function. Among the dignitaries attanded are Dr. I R N Goudar and Dr. Poornima Narayana from NAL,  Dr. K N Prasad, Editor of SRELS Journal of Information Science. Dr.Kalyan from BEL, Dr. Chowdappa From BMS Engg. College, Bangalore.

 

The program concluded with the unveiling of the Padma Shri B S Kesavan's photograph and all the dignitaries paid their respect to him by offering flowers.

Few of the facts about B S Kesavan

·        Mr. Kesavan was a pioneer institution builder and was responsible for many initiatives including the creation of the Indian National Bibliography and for restructuring the National Library into a preeminent institution in the country. His leadership of INSDOC (Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre) resulted in it becoming an important institution not only in India but also as a model for other developing countries.

·        Mr. Kesavan was awarded the prestigious Padmashri by the Govt. of India in 1960 for his contributions to and leadership of the National Library.

·        His services were used by UNESCO, WHO, IFLA, UGC, Planning Commission, Ministry of Education and several Indian universities.

·        Mr Kesavan who started his career as a teacher of English in the Maharaja's College, Mysore. He produced 4 volumes on the History of Printing and Publishing in India for the National Book Trust.

·        Mr. Kesavan's first love was the National Library at Kolkata, called the City of Joy, in India. He nourished the National Library as a mother would her beloved child.

·        Above all Mr. Kesavan was a dynamic leader of men, a warm human being, and a mentor to many young minds whom he lovingly nurtured and imbued in them the human and professional values that were dear to him.

 

Thanks and Regards,

Rajendra Babu H

Joint Secretary, KALA.