Thursday, 21 August 2025

Mumbai: The City That Doesn’t Just Survive the Storm — It Feels It, Lives It, Breathes It!

Most people only see Mumbai as a place to hustle, to make a living, to survive. I get it. The crowds, the noise, the chaos can feel like too much. You wonder why people say Mumbai is a city of dreams” like it’s some clichΓ©. But here’s the thing—Mumbai isn’t just a city. It’s a heartbeat. And you only really feel it when the rains come crashing down.

When the monsoon hits, everything you think you know about Mumbai changes. The trains? They stop. The roads? They disappear under water. The sea? It sneaks into the streets, blurring boundaries. But the city? It doesn’t stop. No, Mumbai doesn’t shut down, it slows down just enough to remind us that life here is messy, complicated, and wildly alive.

In those flooded hours, when you’re stuck—waiting, soaked, frustrated—you’ll notice something beautiful. People you’ve never met before will offer you a warm wada pav, the spicy, soft bite that tastes like home, like hope. Someone will pour you a cutting chai, its bitterness and sweetness hitting just right, as if to say, “We’re in this together.”

It doesn’t matter what religion you follow, what language you speak, or where you’re from. Mumbai’s soul is in that chai and wada pav shared on the roadside, in Parle G biscuits passed around like gold, in the simple sabudana khichadi offered with a smile despite the inconsistent supply of water or food.

And here’s the proof this isn’t just a story told in passing—it’s a legacy that keeps growing. Just recently, @bmcmumbai and railway officials have stepped up, distributing food and water to thousands stranded on trains stuck by the rains. Not just a gesture, but a commitment to Mumbai’s spirit—ensuring no one goes hungry, no one feels alone in the storm. It’s official now: helping the stranded is not just kindness, it’s Mumbai’s way.

And that’s why we Mumbaikars and people who belong to our tribe become voices for this city. They know the pain and the joy that live side by side here. They understand what it means to be stuck in a train station or knee-deep in water, yet never feel alone.

So, if you think Mumbai is just a grind, just a place to earn a paycheck, look closer. When the rains hit and the city seems to drown, you’ll see it—Mumbai’s heart. It’s alive, it’s messy, it’s full of kindness you don’t expect. It’s a city that might stop your trains but never stops caring, never stops living.

Because Mumbai, for all its chaos, is a promise. That no matter how hard the storm, there’s always a hand reaching out to you—offering wada pav, chai, and a place to belong.

Mumbai maza tuzyawar bharavsa hai!


Image Courtesy: Mumbai Rains: BMC Provides Food, Water, & Tea To Stranded Commuters At Railway Stations, Local Trains, & Waterlogged Roads | X|@mybmc

https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-rains-bmc-provides-food-water-tea-to-stranded-commuters-at-railway-stations-local-trains-waterlogged-roads



Thursday, 7 August 2025

Upcoming CFPs & Calls for Librarians and Information Professionals (2025)

If you’re looking to get involved in research, presentations, editing, or peer reviewing this year, here’s a curated list of exciting opportunities in the library, archives, and information science fields. These calls cover a wide range of topics—from AI ethics to institutional repositories, open access, and well-being in academia.

1. Ethical AI in GLAM — Collections Journal Focus Issue

Deadline: October 20, 2025
Format: Peer-reviewed journal articles
Focus: Ethical issues surrounding AI in Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM). Case studies and reflections on digital stewardship encouraged.
Details: Articles up to 5,000 words. Contact Angela Fritz (aifritz465@gmail.com) and Juilee Decker (jdgsh@rit.edu) for info.


2. Journal of Business and Finance Librarianship (JBFL) — Call for Reviewers

Deadline: Ongoing
Format: Peer reviewing manuscripts
Focus: Business and finance librarianship across academic, public, and corporate sectors.
Details: Interested reviewers can contact Estephan at estephan2@icloud.com.


3. 2025 Medical Institutional Repositories in Libraries (MIRL) Symposium

Date: November 20, 2025 (Virtual)
Deadline for Proposals: September 5, 2025
Format: Presentations (20 min) and lightning talks (10 min)
Focus: IR practices, policies, platform migration, open access, and innovations in medical and health sciences repositories.
Submit: MIRL CFP
Contact: Steven Moore (smoore31@hfhs.org)


4. LOEX Fall Focus 2025 Conference

Dates: November 17–19, 2025 (Virtual)
Deadline for Proposals: September 5, 2025
Format: 50-minute presentations and 7-minute lightning talks
Focus: Artificial Intelligence, Archives & Special Collections, Sense of Belonging in library instruction and information literacy.
Submit: LOEX Fall Focus CFP


5. Ticker: The Academic Business Librarianship Review — Call for Articles

Deadline for Summer Issue: October 10, 2025
Format: Peer-reviewed and editorial-reviewed articles
Focus: Research and case studies related to business librarianship, with encouragement for early-career authors.
Submit: Ticker Journal
Contact: Ash Faulkner (faulkner.172@osu.edu)


6. OA25 Open Access Conference — Defend Research, Defend Open Access

Date: October 21, 2025 (Virtual)
Deadline for Proposals: August 1, 2025
Format: 20- or 40-minute presentations
Focus: Addressing government censorship, open access preservation, labor issues, and global perspectives on open research environments.
Contact: Dawn Hackman (dawn.hackman@sjsu.edu)


7. Humanities Methods in Librarianship — Call for Editors

Deadline to Apply: September 15, 2025
Format: Editorial roles
Focus: Publishing peer-reviewed research that applies humanities methods to library science. Open to diverse academic backgrounds.
Apply: Via form linked in the CFP or email editors@humanitiesmethods.org for info.


8. FACRL 2025 Virtual Conference — Well-Being in Higher Education: The Library's Evolving Role

Date: October 24, 2025 (Virtual)
Deadline for Proposals: July 11, 2025 (rolling reviews begin May 19)
Format: 45-minute presentations, posters, lightning talks
Focus: Innovative programs, spaces, and strategies promoting mental health and wellness in academic libraries.
Contact: Leah Plocharczyk (lplochar@fau.edu)
More info: Potential publication opportunity in The Reference Librarian.

Whether you want to share your research, contribute to open access, support well-being initiatives, or dive into the ethics of AI in libraries, these calls offer many ways to get involved and make an impact. Mark your calendars and submit your proposals — your expertise and voice are needed!


Tuesday, 29 July 2025

A Day That Could Change a Life: Celebrating CSIR’s ‘One Day As a Scientist’ Initiative

Imagine being a student, walking through the halls of one of India’s premier scientific labs, speaking with real scientists, handling instruments, and watching discoveries unfold right in front of your eyes.

That dream came true for over 14,000 students across India from 21–25 July 2025, thanks to CSIR’s ‘One Day As a Scientist’ initiative—launched under the CSIR‑Jigyasa program in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inspiring call during Mann Ki Baat (23 Feb 2025).

πŸ”¬ What the Initiative Offered

Across 37 CSIR labs, students were welcomed as young scientists for a day:

  • Participating in hands-on experiments,

  • Touring advanced research facilities,

  • Engaging in thought-provoking discussions with top Indian researchers,

  • And discovering how science directly impacts the world around them.

At CSIR‑NEERI Nagpur, Dr Vinay K. Nandicoori (Director, CSIR-CCMB) shared his journey battling antimicrobial resistance. Dr S. Venkata Mohan, Director of NEERI, energized 90 students from Maharashtra and Telangana.

In Jammu, over 500 students from J&K and Ladakh engaged with scientists at CSIR-IIIM, under the dynamic coordination of Dr Asha Chaubey, Dr Vidhushi Abrol, and Poonam Choudhary.

πŸ‘ Saluting the Champions Behind the Scenes

Such a massive, inspiring initiative couldn’t have been possible without the vision and effort of committed leaders:

  • Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam and the CSIR‑HRDG team provided overarching guidance and execution excellence.

  • Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister and Vice President of CSIR, closed the week with an inspiring address from CSIR‑NPL in Delhi. He called for broadening the program to include teachers, parents, and industry mentors—proposing a “One Day as a Teacher” concept and real-world student-industry innovation collaborations.

Their dedication helped take this program from vision to reality.

πŸš€ Beyond a Day – Toward a Movement

One of the most inspiring outcomes of the week was the EPIC Hackathon, where students like Japteg Bamrah from Pathankot presented innovations such as a solar-powered Stirling engine for cooking. These projects are now being connected with CSIR mentorship and industry support.

This initiative also strongly aligns with India’s National Education Policy 2020, promoting curiosity-driven, inquiry-based learning and empowering students to dream boldly and think scientifically.

πŸ’‘ Final Thoughts

"One Day As a Scientist" was not just about lab coats and microscopes—it was about igniting a fire in the hearts of young minds. Thanks to CSIR’s foresight and passionate execution, thousands of students have now glimpsed what’s possible in science—and for many, it may be the start of something life-changing.

Let’s celebrate and support efforts like these that don’t just teach science but make science come alive.

References for the above:

1) https://jigyasa-csir.in/ods-2025/

2) https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2148329

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

πŸ“š 21 Years as a Librarian – Still No Late Fee Amnesty! πŸ˜„


Today marks 21 years since I first walked into the library at St. Francis Institute of Technology... and I’ve basically lived here ever since. πŸ˜…

In that time, I’ve:
✔️ Shelved and re-shelved thousands of books πŸ˜‡ (give or take a few hundred thousand)
✔️ Answered more “What’s the Wi-Fi password?” questions than Google
✔️ Mastered the sacred art of the “Shhh!”
✔️ Witnessed the evolution from card catalogues to cloud storage
✔️ And yes... still waiting for someone to return that one mysteriously missing copy of "Data Network Design by Darren Spohn" πŸ“– (I know who you are πŸ‘€)
It’s been an incredible journey surrounded by brilliant minds, curious students, and the comforting smell of books (and the occasional spilled tea).

To all my fellow librarians, book lovers, and knowledge seekers: thank you for making these 21 years so rewarding, occasionally chaotic, but always worth it.
Here’s to many more years of organizing the world—one Dewey Decimal at a time! πŸ₯³πŸ“˜

"They say hashtagAI is taking over… but until hashtagChatGPT can find misplaced engineering textbooks, I’m safe!"

Image Courtesy: Pinterest

hashtagLibrarianLife hashtag21YearsStrong hashtagLibraryHumor hashtagSFIT hashtagBookNerd hashtagStorytellerInSilence hashtagStillShushing hashtagCareerMilestone hashtagLibraryLove

Saturday, 31 May 2025

πŸ“š How to Organize Your Home Library: Real Tips for Real Book Lovers

If you're the kind of person who thinks of books as friends, you probably know the struggle: piles on the floor, double-stacked shelves, that one book you swear you just saw last week... somewhere.

Organizing your home library doesn’t need to be a Pinterest-perfect project. It just needs to work for you. Whether you’ve got a dedicated reading room or just a few crowded shelves in your bedroom, here are some practical, realistic tips to help you turn book chaos into book bliss.


1. Start With a Book Audit (Yes, All of Them)

Grab a cup of tea or coffee, play your favorite playlist, and pull out all your books. Every. Single. One.

Why? Because it’s the only way to know what you actually have. You’ll probably find some surprises—books you forgot you owned or bought twice (guilty!). Decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to finally read.

πŸ“¦ Pro tip: If you haven’t touched it in five years and don’t love it, it might be time to pass it on.


2. Sort in a Way That Makes Sense to You

There’s no “correct” way to organize books. The best system is the one you’ll actually stick with. Here are a few popular (and realistic) methods:

  • By genre or subject – Great if you read widely (fiction, poetry, self-help, tech, biographies).

  • Alphabetically by author – The classic librarian approach.

  • By color – It looks beautiful, but not for everyone. More aesthetic than practical.

  • By how they make you feel – Yes, this is a thing. Comfort reads, deep thinkers, books that made you cry. It’s your library, after all.


3. Give Your Favorites a Home of Their Own

You know those books that changed your life or that you recommend to everyone? Give them a special shelf—or better yet, put them right at eye level. A little display space for your all-time favorites makes your library feel personal and lived-in.


4. Make Space for Reading, Not Just Storing

Even if you only have a corner to work with, turn it into a place you want to read. Add a comfy chair, a throw pillow, a small table, or a lamp. It doesn't have to be fancy—just functional and inviting.

πŸ“– You’re building a space for stories to live and breathe, not just to sit and collect dust.


5. Digitally Track Your Collection (Optional, But Helpful)

If your collection is growing fast, consider using an app like:

  • LibraryThing

  • BookBuddy

  • Google Sheets (a simple tracker works too!)

Bonus: You’ll always know what you already own before buying your fifth copy of Atomic Habits by mistake (yes, again).


6. Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Books with Life

Your library doesn’t have to be only books. Add in plants, framed photos, bookmarks, candles, or anything else that makes you smile. Let it reflect who you are—not just what you read..


7. Accept That It’s a Work in Progress

Your reading tastes will change. Your collection will grow. And every few months, you’ll probably want to reshuffle everything again. That’s normal. That’s part of the fun.


Looking for More Books to Fill Your Shelves?

Stop by the local library! Libraries have got everything from motivational reads like Just Aspire by Ajai Chowdhry to inspiring biographies like The Unbreakable by Mary Kom. Check out their latest recommendations.


Final Thought

Your home library doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be yours. Organize it in a way that brings you joy, makes books easier to find, and encourages you to keep reading.

Happy organizing,

Monday, 26 May 2025

Stories for the Season: Unwind with the Holiday Reading List

Vacations are the perfect time to unwind, reflect, and dive into the world of books. Whether you're traveling, enjoying a staycation, or just looking to escape into a good story, there is a book for all!

From heartwarming tales for kids to inspiring biographies for adults, these books promise to make your holidays more memorable and meaningful. Let the reading journey begin!

🌈 For Young Readers (Ages 5–12)

πŸ“– Vikas Stories for Children – Green Book

Perfect for cozy afternoons or bedtime reading, this colorful book is full of fun, values-based stories that spark imagination and kindness.

🐘 The Best of Jataka Tales

A timeless treasure of moral stories featuring talking animals, wisdom, and wit. Great for kids—and nostalgic adults!


🌟 For Teens (Ages 13–18)

πŸ“š Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul

Relax with this inspiring collection of real-life stories about friendship, self-discovery, and overcoming challenges. A true feel-good companion for any vacation.

πŸ”„ Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson

Quick, insightful, and surprisingly fun, this book will help you reflect on how to embrace change—even during your school break.


πŸŽ’ For College Students and Young Adults

πŸ’Ό The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

Vacation is a great time to rethink your goals and life philosophy. Naval Ravikant’s wisdom on wealth, happiness, and decision-making makes for reflective poolside reading.

πŸ” Atomic Habits by James Clear

Want to return from break as a better version of yourself? This practical guide to forming good habits is easy to read and even easier to apply.


🌍 For Working Professionals

🧠 Tata Stories by Harish Bhat

Engage your mind with real-life tales of leadership, innovation, and values from one of India’s most respected business groups.

🌱 Just Aspire by Ajai Chowdhry

Get inspired by the co-founder of HCL as he shares stories of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and the power of dreaming big.


🧳 For Seniors and Lifelong Learners

πŸ₯Š The Unbreakable by Mary Kom

An easy-to-read and incredibly motivating autobiography of India’s boxing champion. A reminder that it's never too late to fight for your dreams.

πŸ–₯️ Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

If you prefer deeper, thought-provoking reading during your vacation, this detailed biography captures the vision, genius, and complexity of Apple's co-founder.


✨ Take a Break. Take a Book.

Vacations may end, but the impact of a good book lasts forever. Explore these titles and let your holidays be filled with imagination, insight, and inspiration.

Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

πŸ“š✨ Wishing a very Happy World Book and Copyright Day | April 23 ✨πŸ“š

From the desk (and heart) of your friendly engineering college hashtaglibrarian...hashtag

In a world where hashtagAI is writing poetry, code, and the occasional love letter—why should we still read?
Because while AI can generate, only we can truly connect. πŸ’‘
hashtagBooks, articles, blogs, LinkedIn posts (yes, even this one), and audiobooks—reading isn't just about pages anymore. It’s about ideas. It’s about feeding your brain with perspectives, sharpening your curiosity, and letting your imagination break its own boundaries. πŸš€
πŸ‘©‍πŸ’» Engineering students often ask me,
"Do I really need to read if hashtagAI can summarize it all?"
And I say, "Yes—but not just for the facts. For the thinking."
Reading teaches us how to pause, reflect, and question.
Whether you're flipping through thermodynamics textbooks or scrolling through thought-provoking threads on LinkedIn, you’re still feeding your mind.
And here's a secret:
The more you read, the better you get at engineering your thoughts. And guess what? That’s a skill even AI envies. πŸ˜‰
So on this World Book and Copyright Day, let’s celebrate the written word in all its forms.
πŸ“– Bound or digital.
πŸ”Š Read or heard.
πŸ’¬ Longform or post-length.
What matters is that you keep exploring, keep learning, and keep turning those metaphorical pages.
Drop a comment and tell me what YOU’RE reading today—whether it’s a book, a blog, a blueprint, or a brilliant idea.
hashtagWorldBookDay hashtagReadingMatters hashtagAIandHumans hashtagLibraryLife hashtagEngineeringEducation hashtagLifelongLearning hashtagLibrarianOnLinkedIn hashtagReadOn