Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 03:32:30 -0700 (PDT) From: Pijushkanti Panigrahi It is indeed heart-breaking to hear that Prof Prabir Roy Choudhury, the veteran LIS teacher and an eminent leader of Library Movement, is no more. He breathed his last on August 22, 2007 at 8:52 am at his age of 74 and had lost his beloved & careing wife Amita only a few months back. He was suffering from lung cancer. Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharyya, Hon�ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mr Tapan Ray, Hon�ble Minister of Library Services, Govt of West Bengal, Hon�ble Mr Joyti Basu, Mr Nimai Mal, Mr Biman Basu, Mr Deb Kumar Basu along with many renowned educationist and scientists pay their homage to Prof Roy Choudhury and joined the funeral. Prof Prabir Ray Choudhury was born in Dhaka of Bangladesh in the year of 1934. He came to Kolkata afterwards along with his parents and studied in Bangabasi College. He had keen interest on books and libraries. To fulfill his desire, he got admitted in the librarianship course and became a student of Dept of Library Science, University of Calcutta. And he obtained his Post Graduate degree in Library Science as a deputed candidate from the Delhi University while he was an employee of the Central Library, Jadavpur University. He joined as a faculty of the Dept of Library and Information Science, Jadavpur University since its inception in 1964 and worked till his retirement in 1994. He had set up an example of refusing any further extensions after attaining the age of his superannuation. But he had rendered his services towards the betterment of the whole Jadavpur University community by holding many honorary positions till his death. The Vice Chancellor, Deans, Registrar, Teachers, Employees, Students of Jadavpur University pay their last respects to Prof Ray Choudhury. Prof Ray Choudhury took part and played important role in the Education Movement in 1954. He was very much instrumental to use Libraries in mass education to strengthen Education Movement. Due to his respect and affection to the Libraries, he established a Children Library (�Sougata Smriti Pathagar�) after the sudden and painful death of his only affectionate son Sougata in an accident at his young age. Prof Ray Choudhury had played an important role in formulating West Bengal Public Library Act and its enactment in 1979. As per the act he took initiatives in forming Directorate of Library Services, State Library Council, and Local Library Authorities for districts as an Advisor to the Govt. He was one of the members of the State Library Council till his death. He was attached with the Bengal Library Association since 1957 which he used to consider as his second home. He was also its President, General Secretary, Council member in different point of time. A huge gathering of LIS teachers of different Universities � University of Calcutta, Burdwan, Kalyani, North Bengal, Vidyasagar; President, Vice Presidents, General Secretary, Joint Secretaries, Council Members, Members of BLA,WBPLA, IASLIC, IATLIS, students, friends, followers, entire library profession pay their respectful homage with flowers and tears to their beloved teacher and joined in the funeral procession of the departed leader. He was also attached with IASLIC and participated in its many activities to guard the welfare of the Indian LIS profession. But for his inspiration, suggestion and active participation, IASLIC organized many successful seminars, conferences, workshops along with many other academic activities. His affection and suggestion inspired me a lot to organize successful workshops as Secretary of its Education Division. His sad demise is a great loss for the entire profession which is irreparable. I am extremely sad and shocked about his departure, but I am sure his work will stand to the benefit of LIS profession. I express my sympathy to all his relatives wish them to get back the strength to withstand this loss and wisdom to move forward with time. - Dr Pijushkanti Panigrahi Dr Pijushkanti Panigrahi, Reader, Dept of Lib and Inf Science, University of Calcutta, 87/1 College Street,Kolkata - 700 073, West Bengal, India, email : panigrahipk@yahoo.com, (M) : +91 94342 43522. Secretary, Education Division, IASLIC; Associate Editor, IASLIC Bulletin, IASLIC, Kolkata-700 054