From: M N Seetharaman, Ex. Head, Information Centre for Aeronautics, NAL, Bangalore Dear library professionals, I join my colleague and friend, Mr. Gouda, in paying my own humble tributes to Prof. A. Neelameghan. Dr. Poornima Narayana, Head, ICAST, NAL, Bangalore, broke the sad news to me about the professor's demise just as the cortege was about to leave his house in Malleswaram. Sadly, therefore, I could not join the funeral procession, much as I wished to do so and pay my last respects to the learned professor. I have known Prof. Neelameghan ever since he joined DRTC way back in 1962. For over 5 decades now, I was fortunate to have had a very close and personal relationship with him. He was indeed a friend, philosopher and guide to me during my tenure of service in NAL. It is no exaggeration to say that thanks to his guidance and help, we at NAL Library were able to develop the Library as one of the sectoral information centres under NISSAT. Thanks, again, to his help along with that of Prof. S. Parthasarathy, my colleagues and I were able to take up a major telecom project during 1981, perhaps for the first time in India, to access online the databases of the European Space Agency, Frascati, Rome, Italy, on experimental basis. This demonstration of online access to remote databases can be said to be the precursor and herald the advent of Internet later on. Prof. Neelameghan was instrumental in getting a grant of US$25,000 for this project from UNESCO and NAL Library was perhaps the only Library at that time to have imported IBM computers as remote terminals as well as for library house-keeping functions. We would always cherish his memory in the treasury of our remembrance for his guidance and help for this project. During my long association with the Prof., I had always found him to be soft, quiet, modest and unassuming. He never threw any airs or bragged about his extensive knowledge and experience as a teacher/researcher in DRTC and as an UNESCO expert who carried out successfully several assignments abroad. I have always had the highest regards and respects for him all through our very long association and relationship. I feel deeply sad to think that such a great genius is no longer among us to guide and help us in our professional activities. Striking a personal note, I feel as if I have lost my own elder brother, friend and philosopher. I pray to God Almighty to make his soul rest in peace and give moral strength to members of the bereaved family to bear this unbearable loss. M.N. Seetharaman Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 07:48:04 +0530
From: goudarishwar@googlemail.com To: fjayakanth@gmail.com; lis-forum@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Sad Demise of Prof. Neelameghan
Dear Professionals,
Yes, Prof. A. Neelameghan, an internationally acclaimed scholar in Library and Information Science and Former Professor and Head, DRTC, Bangalore passed away on 28th July. He was hospitalised for the last few months. He did his graduate and post-graduate studies in Chennai and advanced course in documentation and information in science in USA on Rockefeller Foundation and Fulbright scholarships. Worked in various special technical information centres in India before joining the Documentation Research and Training Centre, Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore, established by Dr. S.R.Ranganathan in 1962, retired as Professor and Head, in 1984. He was close associate of Dr. Ranganathan. The Sharada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science and Ranganathan Centre for Information Studies served the LIS community in a big way under his stewardship. Many professionals like me are indebted to this great teacher. Prof. Neelameghan's teaching, service and research resulting in more than 600 papers and 25 books(authored or edited). He extended his expertise in organising a number of national and international seminars and conferences ny number of institutions. He undertook Technical Assistance missions to developing countries in Asia, Arab League States, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean sponsored by UNESCO/PGI, UNDP, IDRC, etc. Initiated the regional information network ASTINFO for Asia. Even after retirement from UN civil service in 1986, he was very active in researching and publishing, especially in the area of Knowledge organisation.
I join the entire LIS community in condoling Prof. Neelameghan's sad demise. Let God bless his family members to bear this great loss. May his soul rest in peace.
Regards, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dr. I.R.N. Goudar - Visiting Professor Cum Library Adviser Bangalore University Library, Gnana Bharathi Campus BANGALORE - 560056, India - 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)
On Mon, Jul 28, 2014 at 1:05 PM, Francis Jayakanth <fjayakanth@gmail.com> wrote:
I was given to understand just a while ago from a very reliable source that Prof. A. Neelameghan, an internationally acclaimed scholar in Library and Information Science and former Professor and Head, DRTC, Bangalore, has passed away. Details are awaited.
My heartfelt condolences on the loss of a doyen in the field of LIS.
Francis Jayakanth IIMB, Bannerghatta Roa, Bg - 76
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