Dear Mr Satya,
I agree with you, Dr Tapaswi is one among the rare breed of dedicated
librarians in India. I was fortunate to interact with him at few occasions
over email and met him once at NIO. I was amazed by his simplicity and
dedication. Thanks for highlighting his works, which I am sure will guide
many young library professionals.
I wish him all the best and a very happy retired life.
Regards,
S M Pujar
Deputy Librarian
IGIDR, Mumbai
Phone: 022-28416547
E-mail: pujar@igidr.ac.in
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On Wed, Jul 31, 2013 at 11:31 AM, Satyaranjan Sahu
Dear professionals,
Progressive and proactive library & information professionals are rare in India. Some of these professionals dedicatedly work for the satisfaction of their patrons without publicizing their achievements and retire on their superannuation without notice of others. But young professionals should know about them and try to learn & emulate such achievements. Today on 31st July 2013, one of such librarian in CSIR setup is going to retire on the superannuation and needs to be mentioned. This write up is based on my close association with him over last 10 years.
Dr. Murari P. Tapaswi, Chief Scientist (Librarian) is retiring today on his superannuation after 34 years of career in the library of CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography. He is specialized in Information Management & Dissemination and has actively participated in several projects such as Development of National Information Centre for Marine Sciences (DSIR-Project), Database of literatures on Indian Ocean and adjacent water (DSIR project), Database on Indian mangroves (MoEF Project) and other CSIR projects on libraries & information services.
His work of computer applications for better library & information services had impressed UNESCO which put NIO library on the international map in 1985. Soon his vision and expertise was appreciated and India became the first developing country to be the part of the prestigious Aquatic Science and Fisheries Information System of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN in 1989. Dr. Tapaswi was the only library & information scientist from a developing country who was selected as a member of the group of experts in Marine Information Management (1992-2008) to help the 120-member Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO in development of marine information products. He was selected as the chairman of experts group for two times (1999-2004) for the development of Ocean Data & Information Network in African countries. He was the member of several national committees on e-resource negotiation, Open Access Policy, etc.
Dr. Tapaswi, an alumnus of DRTC was always proactive in using technology for better services in library. An expert in CDS/ISIS with Pascal programming had developed himself automation package for NIO library during 1990s when it was a dream in India to automate the library services. The backbone of the automation package is still in use with modification in Linux OS with browser based facilities. He is very skillful in ‘Bibliometrics/Scientometrics’ analysis using CDS/ISIS - Pascal programming and this skill was used extensively in the institute by authorities & researchers. His supervision & management has established the institute website (http://www.nio.org) as a top ranked among the oceanographic institutions all over the world. As a mentor, he has guided the Digital Repository Service of NIO (http://drs.nio.org) to 1st ranked institutional repository in India (267th ranking in World). His role as Public Information Officer and contact person for press, media and parliament questions are notable and such challenges taken by library professional are rare.
He has visited several countries like Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UK and USA for his professional assignments. There are more than 10 research papers & 3 books to his credit. Those who are associated with him know well about his sincerity, discipline and hard work. Main motto of such professionals is “User satisfaction” than any award or recognition.
On behalf of CSIR library & Information professionals, I wish him all the best.
Thanking you With regards Satya -------------------------------------------- Satya Ranjan Sahu Scientist National Information Centre for Marine Sciences (Library) National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) Dona Paula, Goa - 403 004 Phone: 0832-2450370 (O); Fax-91-(0)832-2450601 -----------------------------------------------------
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