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Prof Narendra Lahkar
President
ACLA
July 15, 2018 |
Professional Colleagues, the College Librarians of Assam Colleges, esteemed academicians
and others present,
It is a joyous moment for us to celebrate. Our very pertinent long standing demands are
fulfilled. We are indebted to the authorities for understanding our genuine demands and for
their acceptance. It is the recognition we have received in the society because our just
demands are agreed and accepted. We express our acknowledgement to the Department of
Education, Govt of Assam and the concerned individuals who have extended their
cooperation in this regards. The efforts of our General Secretary, Dr Prasanta Kumar Deka
and his dedication need to be mentioned here. It is Dr Deka and his young professional
colleagues who were regularly monitoring the movements till their successful end.
I am just remembering the ACLA conference at Jorhat in 1978, when most of you present
here were not born. I had just joined as a College Librarian in the Rangia College. Even the
provision of extending UGC Pay structure were not accepted at that time to the college
librarians and the ACLA had to fight tooth and nail for convincing the Govt. I have seen, how
they are trying to convince the concerned authorities for accepting their genuine demands.
Still I remember, how much efforts have been given by Sri Birendra Kumar Srama, the then
General Secretary of ACLA along with his team including Late Mahendra Nath Sarma, Sri
Dilip Kumar Sarma, and many others (I am sorry for my inability to remember the other
names). With the able guidance of Late Ajit Kumar Sarma, the then president of ACLA and
Prof Alaka Burahogohain, the President of ACLA next to late Sarma, ACLA was successful
and the college librarians of Assam were also taken under the UGC Pay structure in a later
date and we are enjoying the privilege as of now.
After this very significant development for the college librarians of Assam long back, this
time one more development takes place: College Librarians are now the ex officio member of
the Governing Body of respective colleges. Not only one, at the same time, the college
librarians of Assam are recognized as the non vacational academic staff; so also the party to
all decisions for the construction and development of the college library. Really, these
decisions are the historic ones not only for the college librarians but for the Library and
Information Science profession. These are other feathers added to the profession in the
societal recognition both academic and administrative. While congratulating us for this
achievement, one LIS expert of international repute, Prof N Laxman Rao wrote in his
massage "the ACLA and also the College Librarians of Assam deserve congratulations and
other states of the country should follow their working plan for achieving such a height".
The two sides of a coin: recognition and responsibility. We have got recognition of our work,
now we are to shoulder our responsibilities in proper perspectives. To make aware and
prepare ourselves in the new environment, the Executive Body, ACLA feels for orienting our
professional colleagues by way of an workshop and the present workshop is the result of the
decision taken in the EC meeting of ACLA recently. We are very much thankful to the
authorities of the SB Deorah College, especially the Principal Dr Dharmendra Nath and the
Librarian Dr Dhrubajit Das for joining us in jointly organizing this professional event and
accepting our request by Dr Nath for delivering the Keynote speech on the occasion. I am
thankful to Prof P J Das also for his consent to address the gathering on the new role of the
college librarians.
While discussing on the responsibilities to be shouldered by the college librarians in the new
environment, we can go on discussing the issue with no limit. We are now to become more
responsible and responsive; more proactive and dedicated professionals. I do not mean that
we were not so earlier, but in view of the new recognition bestowed on us, we need to be
more careful in dealing with the situation. We may consider at individual level, on the role
model who can suggest, guide and lead us towards attaining our objectives in positive way. A
strong, dedication towards professionalism, unbiased attitude to any situation even if it is
more complex, developing knowledge by inculcating reading attitude, a seasoned and orderly
behaviour will bring to us laurels as a LIS professional. I am confident, our team of college
librarians will able to meet the present situation with more vigour and sincerity.
Long live ACLA.
General Secretary of ACLA Dr. Prasanta Kr. Deka delivered a speech on “Future plan of ACLA”. Dr.Deka in his speech stated about the contribution made by the past office bearers of ACLA and he also explained his future course of action in fulfilling the various demands of the college librarians of Assam. He also express his gratitude to the Govt. of Assam for giving the academic status and Ex-officio GB membership to the college librarians of Assam. In the Presidential address, Prof. Narendra Lahkar recalled the relentless efforts of past eminent members of ACLA in fulfilling the genuine demands of the ACLA. Prof. Lahkar in his speech stated that the recognition and responsibility are the two sides of a coin and as the college librarians have their recognition, now they have to shoulder responsibilities in proper perspectives.
In the second session Prof.(Retd.) P.J.Das of Gauhati University delivered a speech on” Managerial and Communication Skills”. In his speech Prof. Das shared his experiences of management while he was in administration in various capacities such as Registrar in-charge, Director of IDOL etc. during his service tenure at Gauhati University. He also explained about the various pros and cons of management. Good Communication skill is very essential in order to be a good manager, he stated. An interactive session was also held where the college librarian shared their problems and experiences in the workplace.
