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Sunday, September 16, 2012

Trip to Shodhgram - Day 6 - last day - Part 2

After breakfast, I went to the Reseach Dept and in the next couple of hours managed a short meeting with the librarian - Ms. Rina and then spent some time with the available interns and staff in the dept. Some of them cleared doubts they had in literature searching and Mendeley. Soon it was time for goodbyes and a couple of photographs. And then I had a final meeting time with Dr Abhay Bang. Dr Yogesh, Mr Mahesh and Ms Rina joined us. Dr Bang once again asked me what I felt they should do to promote a reading culture. (I forgot to mention that in his home, I noted an array of magazines ranging from general to business titles. Later in Dr Rani's book, I figured that he was an avid reader of all topics and had introduced some to her). I deeply appreciate his passion for reading and more importantly his concern to introduce this. I suggested that since his library has books for kids, they should "start early" and have story time sessions for kids on the campus and also encourage children to tell stories - from the books they read.

For adults - I suggested that since they regularly bought books, they should circulate by email a list of "new books" and encourage a book club, where once in a month people verbally share a book review of anything they read. Since they were already doing regular journal clubs, this would be a lighter version of the same thing.

We discussed some more ideas about the library and shared some thoughts about what QMed could do for SEARCH and vice versa.

And then he said "Vasumathi, I really thank you for your visit. Very few people go anywhere 'just to explore and figure out what to do'. I appreciate your efforts. I would like you to come over anytime. And I would specially be happy if you come over to do training programs for our Nirman fellows who are doctors. Everyone here gave good feedback about your sessions. And finally I must say that you are doing excellent work as a medical librarian - it is rare to find someone like this. I wish you all the best"
It is difficult to express what I felt. To get appreciated and praised for work from someone who has made amazing social changes coupled with hard core research, was something!

A quick lunch followed. The cab to Nagpur airport was ready. Three people who had to go to Nagpur to travel further accompanied me. We reached Nagpur well in time for my flight and then it was back home.

2 comments:

sc said...

Sounds like this was a soul-trip for you as well Vasu ma'am - am glad we got to share the journey. I wish we had a book club for medical students as well - one where we could discuss the humanities aspect..maybe a wistful dream?
:)

Vasumathi said...

Hmmm wistful dream it seems to be. But let's chew on it. You never know. It may actually happen :)