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Prithvi Nath Kaula was born on 13th March 1924 at Haba Kadal Srinagar, Kashmir, after receiving early education in Srinagar he pursued higher education at Punjab University (then in Lahore), Banaras Hindu University and Delhi University. He also studied at Madras University (present day Chennai) under the able guidance of S. R Ranganathan.
He started his career as a Librarian in DAV College at his native place. In 1947 he was appointed as librarian in Birla Education Trust, Pilani. As he was keen to develop his professional knowledge he Joined first batch of Masters Degree in Library Science at Delhi University in 1948 and qualified the degree in 1949 by obtaining first position. After completing his master in Library science he was appointed as Junior Library Assistant at Delhi University. In 1958, he was appointed as Librarian at Banaras Hindu University by the then Vice Chancellor of the University Veni Shanker Jha. At BHU in 1962, he upgraded Diploma in Library Science to Bachelors Degree. In 1972 he is having a privilege of becoming a full time Professor of Library Science Department in BHU and held the position of Dean of Arts from 1979 to 1982.
Prof. P.N Kaula was actively involved in Library Profession nationally as well as internationally. He was president of reputed Library Professional Organizations like Indian Library Association, Indian Public Library Association and Indian Association of Teachers of Library and Information Science. With this he was also Chairman Council of Literacy and Adult Education, Emeritus Professor (UGC) Lucknow University, UNESCO Expert and Consultant, Counselor International Council for Professional Education, and Chairman Panel of Library & Information Science (UGC).
Prof. Kaula was Editor of two reputed journals of Library Science-Herald of Library Science and International Information, Communication and Education. He has authored more than 60 Books/Monographs, 400 scholarly papers, over 400 reviews, 43 Bibliographies and 6000 notes. He visited more than 25 countries and lectured in Universities of those countries.
He was conferred with several national and international awards in the field of Library and Information Science viz Padmashri Award (India) Gold Medal- Mundi Beneficio Medal (Brazil), Deutsche Bucherei Medal (Germany), Commemorative Medal of Honour (USA).
In 1975 a collection of writings was published in honor of Prof. P.N. Kaula on his 50th Birthday. In the same year Prof. Kaula Endowment for Library And Information Science was formed and its Head Office is at Guntur (Andhra Pradesh). The Endowment has decided to award “Prof. Kaula Gold Medal and Citation” to a person who distinguished himself as a Librarian, Documentalist or a Teacher of library & Information Science at International Level.
He is having a privilege of drafting the plan of the Jammu and Kashmir University Library and also prepared a Library Development Plan of the Sri Pratap Public Library at the invitation of the then Education Commissioner of Jammu and Kashmir Government.
Unfortunately we lost a treasure of knowledge on 30th August 2009 in the form of Prof. P.N. Kaula. His contribution in the field of Library and information Science will always be remembered.
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