RONO HILLS : Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) accorded a warm farewell to Deputy Librarian Dr Dhananjay Kumar Pandey on his superannuation on June 30, marking the end of more than 26 years of service to the university.

Dr Pandey joined RGU on February 18, 2000, as Technical Assistant (Library) and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Librarian and later Deputy Librarian. During his tenure, he played a key role in the development, automation and modernisation of the university library, strengthening its academic resources and services for students, faculty members and research scholars.

Before joining RGU, he served at Government Higher Secondary School Miao and the State Central Library. He also contributed to the restoration, preservation and cataloguing of rare books at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar.

To mark his retirement, the Rajiv Gandhi University Employees’ Association (RGUEA) organised a felicitation programme attended by Vice-Chancellor Prof. S K Nayak, Registrar Dr N T Rikam, Finance Officer Prof. Otem Padung, university officers, faculty members, staff, students, research scholars and well-wishers.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Nayak lauded Dr Pandey’s commitment and significant contribution to the growth of the university library, describing his service as an enduring legacy for future library professionals.

Dr Rikam appreciated his sincerity, dedication and mentorship, while Prof. Padung commended his professionalism, discipline and integrity, and wished him a healthy and fulfilling retired life.

Joint Registrar Dr David Pertin, Deputy Registrars Solung Sonam and Gomar Basar, RGUEA president Nich Bapu, General Secretary E K Sonar and others also paid tributes to Dr Pandey’s contribution to the university. Students and research scholars thanked him for his guidance, support and accessibility throughout his career.

Dr Pandey’s contributions to librarianship have earned him several honours, including the Indian Librarian Pride Award in 2022, recognising him among the country’s top 75 pioneering library professionals. Earlier this year, he also received the Lifetime Contribution Award in Library Science during the International Conference on Knowledge Organisation in Academic Libraries (I-KOAL), jointly organised by the Library Professional Association and RGU.

The university expressed gratitude for Dr Pandey’s dedicated service and wished him good health, happiness and success in his post-retirement life.