On February 7, 2024, the Ananda Rangapillai Library of Pondicherry University hosted the opening of a three-day international conference on the theme of “G20 Library Summit: Connecting the Nations for Knowledge and Cultural Heritage.” Attendees included over 300 representatives from G20 member states.

The event intends to connect and collaborate with the libraries of G20 countries. So far the conference portal has received 1.3 lakh viewers, according to the Pondicherry University officials.

The international conference was presided by the Vice Chancellor Prof. K.Tharanikkarasu. He emphasised the role of librarians to minimize the complexities among the end users by providing reliable information.

Kenya honored the occasion and told the audience about India”s deep ties to many other nations, particularly the role Indians have played in helping Russia and Kenya raise their youth by providing high-quality education through networking and collaboration.

The Director of Culture and Cultural Relations, Prof. Clement S. Lourdes, emphasized the value of librarians in assisting with research and teaching-learning in order to provide high-quality education.

In her inaugural speech, Prof. Devika Madalli, Director of INFLIBNET, said that librarians worldwide must work together to establish and manage open data repositories since the data significantly improve the quality of R&D operations.

The conference theme was presented by Dr. Shibu K. M., while Dr. M. Baskar gave the vote of gratitude.

Dignitaries from different countries gathered to grace the occasion including Mr. Andrei Sokolov from Russia, Prof. Borayin Larios, French Institute Pondicherry, and Prof. Constantine Matoke Nyamboga, Vice Chancellor of Lukenya University.