Dear All, Our beloved Dr. V S Cholin, one amongst the pillars of INFLIBNET, has traumatized the LIS world with his sudden and saddest demise on 12th January 2006 (14.30 hrs.). GOD snatched him in front of all of us (30-35 colleagues) but could not save him... His dynamism, strength and efforts in actively promoting the INFLIBNET and UGC-Infonet: E-Journals Consortium known by all of us. Whole world is aware about his professionalism, his enthusiasm and his vision towards LIS. Since last 5 - 6 months (After return back for US) he was quite busy with his professional activities and wanted to finish various things quickly so he could start new programmes and activities related to E-Journals Consortium. He was very eager to execute his experiences that he has gained during his full-bright scholarship for serving the academic society. After coming back from US he used to say, "everything I got due to my profession and this is the right time to deliver or to pay back, according to the expectations of LIS professionals, they are having on me". Apart from professional activities he was well known for his helping nature. He never said no to anyone who ever asked him for help. He has given professional and financial support to many needy ones. I am recollecting an incident in which he financially helped a poor boy that is working in the INFLIBNET canteen and suffering with weak eyesight. Being an experienced and senior scientist he never thought of seniority while dealing with 4th class employees or other subordinates in the office or outside. Since last two years I was working under him in the INFORMATICS Division and shared various professional and personal moments with him. His sudden demise is a very big loss for me. Whenever I got stuck with any problem he gave me solution for that and guided my as a younger brother rather than an official colleague. Still it is quite unbelievable that he is no more.. He was the Coordinator for B.Lib, M.Lib and PGDLAN courses of IGNOU for Guja rat region and successfully handling it since last 11-12 years. Whenever profession required his duties he run day and night to accomplish them. It might be possible he ignored his family little bit but his wife was his strength and helped him in all the ways. No promotion policy, no pension policy for the technical employees in INFLIBNET's bylaws, giving a tragic and gloomy future to his family. We do hope INFLIBNET, UGC will reciprocate his family (his wife and two kids) with better future in his mortal absence. Our condolences go to members of his bereaved family and we pray to give them the courage and fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. We shall miss him for whole life **************************************************************************** *************************** Suresh K Chauhan Project Scientist (LS) INFLIBNET Centre (An IUC of UGC) Gujarat University Campus Ahmedabad- Gujarat 380 009, INDIA Telephone: 079-26305971/26304695, Extn. 43 Office Website: http://www.inflibnet.ac.in