Mangaluru: Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) celebrated National Library Day with great enthusiasm on August 23, 2025, at the Decennial Memorial Hall. The event honoured the legacy of Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, the father of Library Science in India, and highlighted the enduring importance of libraries in education, research, and lifelong learning.

Significance of the day

National Library Day serves to rekindle a love for reading and acknowledge the evolving role of libraries in the digital era. The Central Library of Father Muller Medical College, under the leadership of Chief Librarian Dr Janet Dotty Lobo and her team, spearheaded the celebration, which brought together all educational units under FMCI.

Highlights of the event

The event was presided over by Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, Director of FMCI, and graced by Dr Mahabaleshwar Rao, Associate Professor and Deputy Chief Librarian at KMC Health Sciences Library, MAHE, Manipal, as the Chief Guest.

A major attraction was the Inter-Collegiate Quiz Competition ‘MULLER LIBER – 2025’, conducted by Dr Anil Shetty, Professor & Head of Paediatrics, as the Quiz Master. The competition drew participation from 30 colleges across Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, showcasing the academic vibrancy of the region.

Key addresses

Dr Mahabaleshwar Rao, in his keynote address, stressed the need for libraries to embrace digital tools and technologies to enhance user experience. He commended FMCI for organising a national-level quiz competition with such professionalism and quality.

Rev. Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo, in his presidential address, posed the question, “What is the relevance of a library today?” He affirmed that libraries remain sanctuaries of knowledge, offering spaces for reflection and personal growth, even in an age of rapid technological advancements.

Event proceedings and acknowledgements

The programme began with a welcome address by Prof. Dr John J.S. Martis, Chairman, Library Committee, and concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Agnes, Vice Principal, Father Muller School and College of Nursing. The event was compered by Dr Michelle Fernandes, Prof. & Head, Dermatology, and Dr Sri Lakshmi Prabhu, Associate Professor, General Medicine.

‘MULLER LIBER – 2025’ Quiz Competition Results

  • First Prize (₹10,000): Anshyl Thomas Reji, Clen Merryl Steevan Rego, Anvith K Palankar – Father Muller Medical College

  • Second Prize (₹7,500): Samay Mahesh Telang, Swasthik V Shetty, Amita Anil Shet – Manipal College of Health Professions

  • Third Prize (₹4,000):

    • Keara Theresa Dsouza, Ishrat Fatima Abbasi, Aston Britto – Father Muller College of Physiotherapy

  • Chethana P L, Pranav M S, Olivia Paul – Father Muller Homoeopathic Medical College

  • Fourth Prize (₹3,000): Neousi Mukesh Jain, Ritu R. Prabhu, Govind S – Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy

  • Fifth Prize (₹3,000): Aaron Rolf Dsouza, Ransan Mendonca, Amal Louis – Laxmi Memorial College of Nursing

    • The celebration was more than an event—it was a reaffirmation of FMCI’s commitment to academic excellence and knowledge dissemination. With the Central Library as a hub of intellectual pursuit, Father Muller continues to uphold its tradition of holistic education and service to humanity.