As part of the programme, Prof. Clement S. Lourdes, Former Director, Culture & Cultural Relations, Pondicherry University, delivered an insightful invited lecture on “Books that Changed the World.” In his lecture, he highlighted the transformative power of books and their enduring influence on human knowledge, society, culture, and intellectual development. The lecture was well received by the students, research scholars, and faculty members.

A quiz competition was also organised as part of the celebration to engage the participants and enhance their knowledge of libraries, authors, and related areas. The winners of the quiz competition were felicitated with prizes during the programme.

The programme was organized with the objective of enriching the knowledge of students, and research scholars on the changing role of libraries in the digital information environment. In her lecture, Prof. Trishanjit Kaur highlighted the transformation of library services in the Internet era and emphasized the continued relevance of libraries as trusted gateways to authentic information. She discussed the evolving nature of communication channels, the significance of reference resources in meeting users’ information needs, and the integration of digital technologies in enhancing library services.

The lecture witnessed enthusiastic participation from research scholars, and students of the department. The invited lecture provided an excellent platform for academic interaction and significantly enhanced participants’ understanding of the evolving role of libraries, communication, and reference resources in delivering effective library services in the Internet era. As part of the programme, Prof. Trishanjit Kaur also inaugurated the department’s remedial UGC-NET Coaching Classes, encouraging aspiring candidates to pursue academic excellence and prepare effectively for national-level eligibility examinations.

Professor P. Prakash Babu, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University and the entire University community under his leadership conveyed the heartiest congratulations to Prof. Vempaty Kutumba Sastry on being conferred the prestigious Padma Shri Award for 2026 by the Government of India. This honor stands as a testament to his distinguished career and his tireless commitment to the advancement of Sanskrit language and literature.

It is pertinent to mention that Professor Kutumba Sastry is the first academician from Pondicherry University to get this highest national recognition of Padma Shri award from the Government of India. A stalwart in the field of Sanskrit studies, Prof. Sastry served as a Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit, School of Humanities at Pondicherry University from 1991 to 1999, laying a strong foundation for the Department of Sanskrit at Pondicherry University. His academic and  administrative vision later saw him serve as the Director and subsequently the first Vice-Chancellor of the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, following its elevation to a Deemed-to-be-University.

His illustrious journey further includes leadership tenures as the Vice-Chancellor of Sampurnananda Sanskrit University, Varanasi and Somnath Sanskrit University. Currently, he continues his academic stewardship as the Chancellor of Sree Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Viswa Mahavidyalaya, Kanchipuram.

Pondicherry University celebrates with pride, his lifelong contributions to scholarship and the propagation of our classical heritage and we take great pride in this well-deserved national recognition of the scholarly academician who served as Professor at the prestigious Pondicherry University.

The discussions also focused on the expansion of the University, introduction of innovative student-centric and employment – oriented academic programmes, enhancement of research and infrastructure facilities, and various strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening Pondicherry University’s role as a Centre of Excellence in higher education.

Dr. Nimai Chand Saha, Librarian of Visva-Bharati University (A central University and an Institution of National Importance) visited the Department of Library and Information Science on 07.05.2026. He interacted with the research scholars and shared his valuable insights and experiences on various aspects of library administration, academic research, and the evolving landscape of library and information services. The session provided an enriching academic experience and inspired fruitful discussions among the scholars.