“A Moment of Honour: Receiving the National Best Librarian Award 2025”
I am profoundly privileged to have been conferred the “National Best Librarian Award 2025” by the Madras Library Association (MALA) — a distinguished professional body with a long and illustrious history of advancing the field of Library and Information Science in India. This recognition was bestowed upon me during the 133rd Birth Anniversary Commemoration of Padmashree Dr. S. R. Ranganathan, held at the Anna Centenary Library, Chennai, in the presence of eminent academicians, library professionals, and scholars from across the nation. Receiving this honour from MALA, one of the oldest and most respected library associations in the country, stands as a significant milestone in my professional journey and a moment of profound gratitude and reflection.
To receive this prestigious recognition on a day dedicated to the Father of Library Science in India was both humbling and deeply symbolic. The Anna Centenary Library, one of the largest and most advanced public libraries in the nation, provided an inspiring setting for the occasion a space that embodies the ideals of accessibility, inclusivity, and intellectual enrichment that Dr. Ranganathan championed throughout his life.
As I stood among distinguished professionals, educators, and scholars from across the country, I was reminded that librarianship is not merely an occupation but a lifelong vocation rooted in service, scholarship, and social commitment. The award represents not just individual recognition, but also the collective effort of the many professionals and institutions who continue to strengthen the fabric of knowledge dissemination and information access in our society.
This recognition by MALA also reflects the unwavering institutional support I have received from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, where I have been fortunate to work in a vibrant environment that values both tradition and innovation. I extend my sincere appreciation to the President, Executive Committee, and General Council Members of MALA for acknowledging my contributions, and to my colleagues, mentors, and peers whose encouragement has continually strengthened my professional pursuits.
In the contemporary digital age, the role of the librarian has expanded far beyond the management of collections. Today, we stand as mediators between information and inquiry ensuring authenticity amidst data overload, guiding users through ethical information use, and upholding the principles of open knowledge and equitable access. As libraries increasingly adopt data-driven approaches and artificial intelligence tools, the professional responsibility of librarians to maintain humanistic values and intellectual integrity becomes ever more significant.
This award, therefore, is not a culmination but a renewal — a reaffirmation of my commitment to advancing library science through innovation, collaboration, and service. It reinforces my belief that libraries, both physical and digital, continue to remain the intellectual heartbeat of any progressive society.
As I reflect on this honour, I am reminded of Dr. Ranganathan’s timeless vision that continues to guide our profession: “A library is a growing organism”.” It is our collective duty to ensure that they continue to grow vibrant, adaptive, and ever responsive to the changing needs of learners and researchers.
I receive this recognition with heartfelt gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose — to uphold the values of our profession and to actively advance the growth, innovation, and visibility of libraries across India.