The NLS journey:

Ms Gayathri’s association with the University spans 33 years and six months. She joined NLS in August 1992 and retired in February 2026. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Applications. Over the course of her long tenure, she witnessed and contributed to many of the technological and administrative developments that shaped the University’s growth.

Her journey at NLS began when she was appointed as a Library Assistant (Computer Applications) in 1992. From the beginning, her role evolved alongside the changing needs of the institution. Over the decades, she contributed to several important initiatives that supported the University’s academic and technological infrastructure.

One of her early contributions was initiating the deployment of the Library Catalogue using the UGC-sponsored library software CDS/ISIS, developed by UNESCO for university libraries. She also coordinated the publication of NLS entrance examination results for several years, until NLS became part of the CLAT Consortium. In addition, she coordinated the preparation of modules for the MBL programme.

During the early years of digital connectivity at the University, she coordinated the daily task of receiving text emails from IISc through the telephone network. This period also saw NLS beginning to establish its network infrastructure, when desktops with Internet connectivity were introduced across faculty offices and administrative departments.

As the University’s technological capabilities expanded, she was closely involved in hosting the NLS website and several institutional servers.

In 2005, Ms Gayathri was part of the NLS movement towards stronger digital infrastructure. More recently, she was part of the teams involved in implementing the University ERP system and the learning platform in 2022 and 2023, marking yet another phase in the University’s digital transformation. Through these decades of service, Ms Gayathri played a steady role in supporting the technological evolution of NLS and its academic programmes.

“On the whole, my tenure at NLS has been interesting,” she says.

Fond memories:

Some of my earliest memories with the University are conducting entrance exam and its evaluation. We used to form a group of staff and faculty together helping each other to evaluate thousands of answer booklets. This process was later automated with OMR readers. Working alongside my colleagues who made office feel like home is something I continue to cherish.

Convocation every year used to be our favourite event where we used to again join for the successful conduct of the convocation. This event brought everyone together and it felt more like a family hosted function.

Just at the window of Director office, there used to be a hibiscus plant. Prof. Nagaraj would often joke with the Director that by just seeing the hibiscus plant, director comes out with good research articles.

I have fond memories of different parts of the campus, the open air and the greenery around and the walk towards library, hostels used to be refreshing.

Prof. Mitra introduced LIC pension scheme and would say, now your life is protected, after retirement, we have protected your life. So, he used to question, what is there to worry?

Throughout my tenure, I have come across very nice people and this the greatest gift in my life.

I am going to miss company of my colleagues, tea-time chats and walks in the pathway of library and hostels.

Looking forward:

It’s been over three-decades of service and now I want to pursue my favourite hobbies like travelling, reading, and gardening.

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