| dc.description.abstract |
The data, concerning human development progress as well as use of
information technology in our country, shows that we are still far behind
other developed nations. Efforts have been made by present government
to make India, a knowledge based society in new era. It has set time
bound targets to see that India becomes a 'developed nation' in next twenty
years.
The paper criticises the concept of knowledge worker, as it fails to identify
the due role of library and information professionals. Appreciates the
efforts of the Planning Commission and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's India 2020:
A Vision of the New Millennium, making an environment in which the
people make India a developed nation. It states how our rural people
begin to use the tools of information technology in new era. The opening
of two Public Information Kiosks (PIKS) by National Institute of Rural
Development (NIRD), in Andhra Pradesh is a good beginning to harness
new technology by its rural people. The paper discusses the role of library
and information professionals, as they are actively engaged in finding
practicle solutions to the challenges of digital age. The paper points out
Christopher Edwards's view that the role of information professionals in
knowledge society is neither fully recognised nor understood. He furthers
remarks that the major initiatives of the government have always bypassed
the library and information sector. Our professional skills developed over
generations are marginalised. The paper deliberates upon the recent
development in ICTs at international level.
The paper concludes with a caution, that, without emphasizing the role of
information professionals as well as of libraries and information centres,
our vision of knowledge society shall remain a dream. |
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