Informatics Studies (IS)is a peer-reviewed, cross-disciplinary journal published quarterly in English since 2014 (Print) and from 2022 (Online), by the Centre for Informatics Research and Development (CIRD). IS is dedicated to advancing knowledge in the broad field of Informatics and its diverse applications in fostering innovation and sustainable progress across disciplines. This is the online version of the journal. For Print version of IS, contact: editor@informaticsstudies.org
Centre for Informatics Research and Development (CIRD)
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Knowledge Infrastructure in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Era: Revisiting a State Agricultural University (SAU) Library System Report
The 1999 Expert Committee Report on the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) Library and Information System was among the earliest Indian policy documents to anticipate the impact of emerging information technologies on academic libraries. At a time when automation, networking, multimedia, and Internet-based retrieval were nascent, the Committee articulated a forward-looking vision for restructuring KAU’s library system. Many recommendations foreshadowed global transformations in higher education and scholarly communication. Nearly three decades later, however, the assumptions underlying the report have been overtaken by profound technological and organizational change. Libraries have evolved into digital knowledge ecosystems supporting artificial intelligence, open science, research data management, digital scholarship, institutional repositories, and enterprise-wide governance. This paper critically reviews the rationale for rewriting the report’s conceptual chapters generalising it for all SAUs in light of developments up to 2026, arguing that the revised framework represents a paradigm shift from conventional library administration to strategic knowledge infrastructure management.
Copyright (c) 2026 Pankaj Kumar Ojha, Jayapradeep M
Transforming State Agricultural University Library and Information Systems into Knowledge Ecosystems: A Contemporary Framework for Organisation and Professional Staffing
Libraries have evolved from collection-centred institutions into dynamic knowledge ecosystems that support education, research, innovation, policy, and public service. This transformation is particularly significant in State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), where timely access to knowledge underpins teaching, research, extension, and technology transfer. Recognising this need early, Kerala Agricultural University constituted an Expert Committee on Library and Information System in 1998, whose recommendations provided a foundation for strengthening library infrastructure and professional staffing. Nearly three decades later, advances in artificial intelligence, open science, research data management, digital scholarship, institutional repositories, knowledge analytics, and information governance have fundamentally reshaped the information landscape. This paper revisits and updates selected recommendations of the 1998 report, proposing a contemporary framework for transforming SAU library and information systems into knowledge ecosystems through organisational reform and professional staffing. It should be read alongside the accompanying review of the 1998 report and relevant ICAR and SAU policies, statutes, and regulations.
Copyright (c) 2026 Jayapradeep M, Pankaj Kumar Ojha
University Knowledge Informatics: A Technical Framework for AI -Driven Knowledge Integration at Banaras Hindu University
The rapid growth of digital scholarship, research data, and institutional knowledge has transformed university libraries into managers of integrated digital knowledge ecosystems. Established in 1916, BHU preserves an exceptional scholarly and cultural heritage, including dissertations, research publications, rare books, manuscripts, archives, administrative records, multimedia resources, and museum collections. However, these resources remain fragmented across multiple repositories, limiting discoverability, interoperability, preservation, and global visibility. This paper proposes an Integrated Digital Library and Knowledge Infrastructure (IDLKI) for teh university that will integrate scholarly, administrative, and heritage resources within a standards-based, scalable, and secure digital ecosystem. The framework will combine institutional repositories, ETDs, research data, digital archives, and multimedia collections with interoperable platforms, enterprise networking, long-term preservation, and AI-enabled semantic search, multilingual OCR, automated metadata generation, manuscript recognition, knowledge graphs, research analytics, and intelligent discovery. The proposed model will preserve BHU’s century-old intellectual heritage while enhancing research visibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, institutional governance, and global access, offering a replicable framework for research-intensive universities.
Copyright (c) 2026 Radhakrishna Pillai C, Anand Kumar Singh, Laila T Abraham
Banaras Hindu University Library and Information System: From a Century of Scholarly Heritage to an Integrated Knowledge Infrastructure
Banaras Hindu University (BHU), one of India’s oldest and largest multidisciplinary universities, possesses an exceptionally rich scholarly and cultural heritage accumulated over more than a century. While significant progress has been made in library automation, digitization, and electronic resource management, the University’s intellectual assets-including books, manuscripts, theses, research publications, institutional records, and digital collections-remain distributed across multiple repositories and library systems. This paper presents a preliminary study that examines the existing BHU library system, including its organizational structure, collections, digital resources, automation status, online services, and the specialized libraries of major constituent institutions such as the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, and the Institute of Medical Sciences. The study identifies the strengths and integration gaps within the current information environment and establishes the foundation for developing an Integrated Digital Library and Knowledge Infrastructure (IDLKI). The study suggests that a knowledge infrastructure to be developed for BHU needs to be envisioned as a standards-based, interoperable, and Artificial aintelligence (AI)-enabled digital ecosystem that unifies the University’s diverse knowledge resources, strengthens long-term preservation, enhances research visibility, promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, improves institutional governance, and positions BHU as a national leader in digital knowledge management and scholarly communication.
Copyright (c) 2026 Vivekanand Jain, Radhakrishna Pillai c
Libraries and Open Climate Knowledge: Informatics Approaches to Climate Solutions and Disaster Preparedness
This study explores the role of open knowledge in libraries, information centers, and community information centres in supporting climate solutions, environmental awareness, disaster preparedness, and preventive action. Open knowledge, characterized by freely accessible, reusable, and shareable information, has become an important framework for democratizing climate-related knowledge and expanding public access to reliable environmental information. Using a document analysis methodology, the study examines scholarly literature and selected international case studies from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other regions. The paper highlights how libraries and community information centres function as knowledge hubs by providing access to climate data, research outputs, local knowledge systems, adaptation practices, and disaster warning information. It also examines the role of digital repositories, open access platforms, and community-based information services in promoting climate literacy, public participation, and resilience. The study positions open knowledge services as vital components in strengthening sustainable development and community response to climate challenges.
Copyright (c) 2026 Kayode Sunday John Dada
Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya: Architect of India's National Education and Knowledge Heritage Management
More than a century after the establishment of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), the vision of its founder, Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, continues to illuminate the philosophy of higher education in India. Revered as an educationist, nationalist, institution builder, and social reformer, Malaviya envisioned a university where India's ancient intellectual heritage would coexist harmoniously with modern scientific knowledge, nurturing not only scholarship but also character, patriotism, and public service. This article explores his life, educational ideals, and the enduring legacy of BHU as a living embodiment of that vision. It examines how Malaviya integrated cultural preservation, knowledge creation, libraries, and national development into a holistic model of higher education whose relevance extends far beyond its historical context. At a time when universities are redefining their roles within digital knowledge ecosystems and global networks, Malaviya's philosophy offers enduring insights into the purpose of education and nation building.
ICT-Based Information Resources and Information-Seeking Behaviour among Engineering Students: A Study of BIET and Bundelkhand University
This paper examines the blended information-seeking behaviour and digital resource usage patterns among engineering students with emphasis on ICT-based systems and digital learning resources. The study is based on 215 responses collected from B.Tech. students at of Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering & Technology and Bundelkhand University, through structured qualitative and quantitative questionnaires. Findings show that students primarily depend on Internet-based resources for academic and reference needs, while textbooks and faculty notes remain the most frequently used study materials in both print and digital formats. Key challenges include inadequate user training, limited course-oriented e-collections, insufficient access to quality electronic resources, and lack of user-friendly ICT systems. The study highlights the need to strengthen digital infrastructure, expand e-resources, and improve information literacy and ICT-enabled services.
Psychometric Evaluation of Job Satisfaction Constructs among LIS Professionals in ICT-Enabled Central University Libraries of Uttar Pradesh
This study examines the psychometric properties of the constructs used to measure job satisfaction among Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals working in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled central university libraries in Uttar Pradesh. The primary objective was to evaluate the internal consistency reliability of the job satisfaction measurement framework and the adequacy of its measurement items. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 27. Internal consistency reliability and item-level performance were evaluated through Cronbach's Alpha, Corrected Item–Total Correlation (CITC), Squared Multiple Correlation (SMC), and Cronbach's Alpha if Item Deleted. The results indicate that the five job satisfaction constructs—Working Environment; Monetary Benefits; Promotion Policy; Physical Environment and ICT Infrastructure; and Overall Satisfaction with Librarianship as a Career—demonstrated satisfactory to excellent internal consistency, with Cronbach's Alpha coefficients ranging from 0.811 to 0.961. Most items exhibited CITC values exceeding the recommended threshold of 0.30, confirming their meaningful contribution to the reliability of their respective constructs. Although a few items showed comparatively lower correlations, they were retained because of their theoretical and practical relevance. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the measurement instrument possesses strong internal consistency and satisfactory psychometric properties for assessing job satisfaction among LIS professionals in ICT-enabled central university libraries. The proposed measurement instrument offers a robust framework for future research studies on job satisfaction in technology-driven academic library environments.
Copyright (c) 2026 Dharmendra Kumar, Gireesh Kumar T. K.
Knowledge Management and the Enduring Vision of Madan Mohan Malaviya
Examines the growing importance of knowledge management in higher education and reinterprets the educational philosophy of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya in the context of contemporary digital knowledge ecosystems. As universities evolve from centres of teaching into integrated knowledge organizations, university libraries have emerged as strategic infrastructures supporting digital scholarship, artificial intelligence, research data management, institutional repositories, open science, and knowledge preservation. The lead papers in this volume argues that Malaviya's vision of Banaras Hindu University anticipated many of the principles underlying modern knowledge management by integrating India's intellectual heritage, scientific inquiry, libraries, ethical education, and national development within a unified institutional framework. The contributions to this special issue, highlights emerging perspectives on digital knowledge infrastructure, climate knowledge, educational networking, professional development, and artificial intelligence in universities. The editorial concludes that effective knowledge management, grounded in enduring educational values and strengthened by technological innovation, is indispensable for building resilient, inclusive, and knowledge-driven universities in the twenty-first century.
Tool that Shapes Basic Structure of Emerging Society
Alvin Toffler in his popular book titled Future Shock notes that if you were to take the time that human beings have been in existence (about 50,000 years) and divide this time into 62-year average lifetimes, you would get 800 lifetimes. Of those 800 lifetimes 650 of them have been in caves. It is only in the last 70 lifetimes that humans have been able to communicate across generations. It is only in the last 6 that there has been the printed word. It is only in the last 4 that we have been able to measure time with any accuracy. It is only in the last 2 that there has been the electric motor. Most of the technologies that we are so familiar with have been brought into existence in our lifetime. There has been widespread disruption in the status quo due to digital technology and globalization of knowledge. The world has become an electronic village with small groups equipped with the power to influence large changes; technological expertise is widespread globally and accessible easily using web tools while response times tend towards zero. However, this move towards an information society demands innovation in generation, collection, storage, processing, and dissemination of information and knowledge. Evolution of information economy comprising information work force, information industry and information infrastructure would throw up new challenges and opportunities. Economics of information, which concerns cost-effective management of information, centres, systems and services at local, national, regional and international levels, would call for innovative technological solutions and germination of new scientific investigations. All this puts forward numerous challenges to Informatics and Information profession. The challenges are economic, political and cultural and include dramatic technological developments, resultant information explosion and resultant Knowledge management problems. Informatics Studies (IS) intends to publish results of research and development on the above aspects especially management and use of Information in the networked society.
An Introduction to Informatics for Sanskrit Students
Book Review: Sanskrit Informatics: Informatics for Sanskrit Studies and Research. Sulochana Devi L and Nair R. Trivandrum, CIRD, 2011
Focus on Agricultural Information Transfer
Presents a brief account of the history of agricultural information transfer with special reference to the growth and development of secondary information services, and makes a case for integration of the existing major agricultural and related information services into one single cooperative venture. Considers the creation of AGRIS as the first step in that direction. Recent advances in information technology (IT), making it possible to transfer and store databases in electronic form accessed via networks, open up new possibilities for access to agricultural information in both developed countries and developing countries. Database producers, especially those in the agricultural sectors, should grasp the opportunities provided by advances in IT to reach a wider user population in all parts of the world, concentrating their limited financial resources increasingly in that area, rather than wasting them by duplicating their efforts at the input end.
Social Science Research: A Comparative Study in Terms of Output From India, China and Brazil
This paper compares the status of social science research of India, China and Brazil, as reflected in the output of their publications, using various quantitative and qualitative indicators. It particularly focuses on the analysis of global publication share and rank, annual publication growth rate, national publication share, international collaborative publications share and research impact as reflected in citation analysis. It studies the similarities in the research profile of these three countries. It as well looks at the assigned priorities and the citation impact of different sub-fields under the five broad social science subjects, such as business, management and accounting, decision sciences, economics, econometrics and finance, psychology and social sciences (general) in the countries.
E-LIS: Unique Model for Subject Specific Open Access Repository
E-LIS established in 2003 is an international open access archive on librarianship, information science and technology, and related disciplines. It uses the Open Archives Initiative (OAI) protocol and tools to facilitate interoperability between repository servers. E-LIS is the first e-server and largest repository in Library and Information Science (LIS) and is managed and maintained by an international team of experts working on a voluntary basis. The purpose of this paper is to describe the main characteristics (technical and organizational) of the archive and its configuration and customisation, and discuss its policies, aims and mission. Its main focus, however, is on the E-LIS organizational model and on the strategic issues correlated to Open Access (OA). The challenges and opportunities of E-LIS consequent to a global vision for the LIS are also discussed. It explains how E-LIS stimulates participation from all over the world, which helps research activities on the subject worldwide. The paper emphasises that E-LIS can promote OA movement in general, and so it can help in disseminating the OA philosophy serving as a model to reveal the benefits of international subject specific open access repositories.
A short write up on Dr. Ernest Mann has worked tirelessly to promote and encourage the development of electronic means of storage and access to information and communication and has always been ahead in this field during the second half of teh last century. He was involved as a consultant in the development of a prototype information system for emerging dairy industries, and played a central role in the development of the FAO/IDF newsletters. He established international databases for Food Science and Technology Abstracts. Dr. Mann was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and of several other notable professional bodies. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law by the University of Guelph, Canada. His contributions to progress in international dairying: in milk production, milk and dairy science, technology, education, economics, marketing, dairy policy, legislation, standards for products and their examination, analysis and human nutrition were unique.
Digital Advocacy and Invisible Archives: Discoverability in Biodiversity Knowledge Systems - The Case of David Attenborough
Digitisation is often framed as a technical solution for preservation and access; however, this paper argues that it should be understood as a form of advocacy that actively shapes visibility, interpretation, and authority in archival contexts. Drawing on scholarship in digital history, community archives, and activist archiving, it introduces the concept of “invisible archives” and adopts a conceptual, example-driven approach, examining cases such as the Digital Archives and Marginalized Communities project to analyse selection, metadata, and interface design. The paper finds that digitisation practices—what is selected, how it is described, and how it is presented—can reinforce or challenge existing hierarchies, with metadata, multilingual description, and interface design playing a crucial role in discoverability and representation, and access models shaping engagement. As a primarily conceptual study, it highlights the need for further empirical and user-focused research. It proposes an advocacy-oriented framework grounded in intentional selection, community-informed metadata, and context-sensitive design, and underscores how such approaches can support more inclusive and equitable knowledge systems while addressing ethical concerns around access and consent. By reframing digitisation as an active site of advocacy and introducing “invisible archives” as a critical lens, the paper contributes a new perspective to discussions on digital archives.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nikhita Nair, Nayana Nair
Speaking for the Unborn and the Living Earth
In June 1992, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, twelve-year-old Severn Cullis-Suzuki delivered an address that became one of the most memorable interventions in the history of environmental advocacy. Speaking on behalf of future generations, she challenged world leaders to confront the escalating ecological crisis and questioned the moral legitimacy of development models that sacrifice the future for short-term gain. More than three decades later, her words continue to resonate in a world marked by accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and persistent social inequalities. This feature reproduces the text of the speech, transcribed from the video recording preserved in the United Nations Audiovisual Library. An editorial afterword accompanies the speech and revisits its ethical and philosophical foundations in the context of contemporary biodiversity conservation and environmental governance. It argues that the enduring significance of Suzuki's address lies not merely in its emotional appeal or youthful candour, but in its articulation of an environmental ethic grounded in intergenerational responsibility, ecological stewardship, global solidarity, and moral accountability. Read today, the speech remains a compelling reminder that environmental action is not simply a matter of policy but of justice, conscience, and responsibility to both the living Earth and generations yet unborn.
David Attenborough and the Classroom Without Walls
The author explores the profound impact of Sir David Attenborough’s life work on global environmental literacy and emotional connectivity to nature. By leveraging multimedia storytelling, Attenborough has bridged the gap between humanity and distant ecosystems, nurturing ‘naturalistic intelligence’ in ways traditional textbooks cannot. The author highlights the transformative power of his documentaries in fostering curiosity, empathy, and conservation values in children. However, the author identifies a critical barrier: the commercial and legal restrictions limiting access to these resources in underfunded schools and developing regions. Proposing a collaborative model between governments and international agencies like UNESCO, the author advocates for open-access digital repositories to democratise environmental education. Ultimately, it is argued that ensuring universal access to Attenborough’s archive is essential for cultivating an informed global citizenry capable of addressing urgent ecological crises.
Severn Suzuki and the Ethics of Environmental Responsibility: A World Environment Day Reflection
A World Environment Day Reflection: In June 1992, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, twelve-year-old Severn Suzuki delivered an address that became one of the most memorable interventions in the history of environmental advocacy. Speaking on behalf of future generations, she challenged political leaders to confront the growing ecological crisis and questioned the moral legitimacy of a development model that compromised the future for immediate gain. More than three decades later, her words continue to resonate amid escalating climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and social inequality. This article revisits the ethical foundations of Suzuki's address and explores its continuing relevance to contemporary environmental thought. It argues that the enduring significance of her speech lies not merely in its emotional power but in its articulation of an environmental ethic grounded in intergenerational responsibility, global solidarity, and moral accountability.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sathikumar C S, Kalliani J
Curating the Living Planet: David Attenborough and the Informatics of Biodiversity Knowledge
This is an appreciation of the life and contributions of Sir David Frederick Attenborough from the perspective of Knowledge Management and Information Science, interpreting him not merely as a natural historian and broadcaster but as a curator of planetary knowledge and a conservator of ecological memory. The study traces Attenborough’s intellectual formation, early fascination with collecting natural specimens, scientific education, and pioneering role in transforming broadcasting into a global medium for environmental knowledge dissemination. Particular attention is given to his documentaries, books, speeches, and audiovisual productions as repositories of biodiversity knowledge and as instruments for preserving ecological information across generations. The article analyses how his works function as documentary archives of endangered ecosystems, species behaviour, and environmental change, thereby contributing to global biodiversity awareness and public ecological literacy. It further explores his role in communicating climate change, plastic pollution, and conservation ethics to worldwide audiences. By connecting environmental communication with concepts such as knowledge preservation, archival memory, public information systems, and sustainability discourse, the paper argues that Attenborough’s lifelong work constitutes one of the most significant modern efforts in biodiversity knowledge management and ecological stewardship.
Copyright (c) 2026 Prasad A, Joanna Thomas
Building on the Biodiversity Legacy of David Attenborough: A Proposal for Integrating Natural History Media into Socio-Ecological Data Infrastructures
Abstract The evolving scenario of biodiversity knowledge is characterised by a core contradiction: the most visible global representations of nature are produced by a handful of natural history media institutions, while the most granular and historically grounded records of socio?ecological change remain dispersed across local archives, Indigenous knowledge systems, governance documents, and scientific databases. While the filmography of Sir David Attenborough has become one of the primary ways global publics encounter biodiversity, ecosystems, and planetary change, this contradiction in biodiversity knowledge creates an implicit tension. This article attempts to problematise this feature as a means of linking complex human histories, resource conflicts, and governance regimes that structure the filmed landscapes to the corpus of work left behind by Attenborough.
Documenting the Anthropocene: Connecting Attenborough’s Environmental Heritage with Global Open Knowledge Systems
As Sir David Attenborough reaches his centenary, his unparalleled natural history corpus constitutes one of the world’s richest repositories of biodiversity knowledge and ecological memory. Yet, despite its immense educational and scientific value, this vast documentation remains largely confined to commercial broadcasting platforms, with limited integration into academic discovery systems, research infrastructures, and Open Science environments. The author examines the growing disconnect between peer-reviewed environmental knowledge preserved in open-access repositories and Attenborough’s documentation of global biodiversity. Drawing on concepts from information ecology, knowledge organization, green librarianship, and the IFLA 2030. It is the absence of semantic, metadata, and discovery-layer integration that limits the scholarly and public use of this unique knowledge resource. The author proposes strategies for preserving, organizing, and enhancing the discoverability of Attenborough’s corpus, including the development of an AI-enabled Attenborough-LLM, thereby transforming a globally significant environmental heritage into an accessible resource for biodiversity research, education, conservation, and ecological literacy.
David Attenborough: A Lifetime of Wonder - A Biographical Appreciation
David Attenborough stands among the most influential communicators of the modern era, whose life and work have transformed public understanding of the natural world. This article traces his journey from a childhood marked by curiosity and fascination with nature to his emergence as an internationally acclaimed broadcaster, natural historian, educator, and conservation advocate. It examines the formative influences of his family background, education, and early experiences, as well as his pioneering contributions to the BBC and the development of modern wildlife documentaries. Particular attention is given to his distinctive storytelling style, commitment to public education, personal integrity, and enduring ability to inspire wonder and respect for nature. The article also explores his leadership in natural history broadcasting, his influence on generations of viewers, and the honours that have recognized his achievements. It argues that Attenborough's greatest legacy lies not merely in documenting nature but in fostering a deeper human appreciation of life on Earth.
Copyright (c) 2026 Nicol Maria Mocchi, Gireesh Kumar T. K.
The Voice that Archived the Living Earth: A Tribute to Sir David Attenborough
The present issue of Informatics Studies commemorates the centenary of Sir David Attenborough by examining the enduring significance of his contributions to environmental communication, biodiversity documentation, and public ecological awareness. The papers included reflect on Attenborough’s unique role as a witness to, and interpreter of, one of the most transformative periods in planetary history, during which humanity’s impact on natural systems became increasingly evident. The authors argue that his documentaries, writings, and public interventions collectively constitute an unparalleled archive of ecological memory, preserving invaluable records of species, habitats, and environmental change. Beyond natural history broadcasting, Attenborough’s work is considered within broader contexts of environmental education, knowledge preservation, sustainability discourse, and public engagement with science. The studies further highlight the relevance of his legacy in addressing contemporary challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecological degradation. Editors position this commemorative volume as both a tribute to Attenborough’s achievements and a reflection on humanity’s shared responsibility for safeguarding the living planet for future generations.
The Earth We Share: Nature, Responsibility, and the Future of Humanity
This article, adapted from a conversation between David Attenborough and Barack Obama, explores contemporary environmental challenges and opportunities. Topics include climate change, coral reef conservation, renewable energy, biodiversity protection, population growth, environmental education, national parks, and humanity's evolving relationship with nature. The discussion highlights the resilience of natural systems, the importance of international cooperation, and the role of education and public awareness in fostering environmental stewardship. While acknowledging the seriousness of current ecological crises, the dialogue presents a hopeful vision grounded in scientific understanding, technological innovation, and a renewed sense of responsibility toward future generations. Keywords
Copyright (c) 2026 David Attenborough, Barack Obama
Documenting, Conserving, and Sustaining the Living Wealth of the Planet
This article, adapted from the presentation 'Why is Biodiversity Important?' by David Attenborough, prepared for the Royal Society, examines the importance of biodiversity as the foundation of a healthy and sustainable planet. Biodiversity encompasses the vast variety of life forms and the ecological interactions that sustain essential ecosystem functions. The article highlights the role of biodiversity in food production, medicine, climate regulation, disaster mitigation, and human well-being. Particular emphasis is placed on the importance of documenting and understanding Earth's biological diversity, much of which remains undiscovered and is increasingly threatened by habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. The article also discusses biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration, community participation, and sustainable development as interconnected pathways for safeguarding the living wealth of the planet and ensuring a resilient future for humanity.
Copyright (c) 2026 David Frederick Attenborough
A Century of Witness: A Memoir and a Map of the Life, Work, and Legacy of Sir David Frederick Attenborough
Abstract. At a hundred, David Attenborough has been seen by more people, in more languages, than anyone else who has tried to explain the natural world, and he has left behind a filmed record of the living planet with no real equal. Most tributes pick out the highlights; this one maps the whole of it. This article follows his life through five working phases, from the young collector to the old man giving evidence on the planet’s decline, and sets down in plain tables the films, the books, the honours, and the fifty-odd species that now carry his name. It ends with an argument for this journal’s readers: that the information professions have catalogued and opened almost every other body of important knowledge but not yet his, and that doing so, and putting it into the hands of the young, may be the most useful tribute we could now pay.
The Mahatma of Global Environmentalism: A Personal Tribute to Sir David Attenborough
This tribute reflects on the profound influence of Sir David Attenborough on generations of naturalists, environmentalists, and nature enthusiasts across the world. Drawing upon personal memories from Kerala, Prof. Murali M. Sivaramakrishnan recounts how Attenborough's documentaries and writings nurtured a lifelong fascination with biodiversity and ecological interconnectedness. The essay situates Attenborough not merely as a broadcaster and natural historian, but as a visionary communicator who transformed public understanding of nature through a rare blend of scientific insight, storytelling, humility, and hope. It highlights his contribution to global environmental awareness, particularly his efforts to communicate the urgency of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecological stewardship. Interweaving personal experience with environmental reflection, the tribute portrays Attenborough as a bridge between science and society, wonder and responsibility, and generations of environmental thinkers. Ultimately, it celebrates his enduring legacy as an educator, conservation advocate, and moral voice whose work continues to inspire care for the living planet.
Copyright (c) 2026 Murali Sivaramakrishnan
Arabi-Malayalam Script, Manuscripts and Literature: Preservation and Digitization of Malabar’s Cultural Heritage
Arabi-Malayalam, an adaptation of the Arabic script for Malayalam, represents a vital yet understudied element of Malabar’s cultural and intellectual heritage. Despite its rich literary tradition, scholarly attention remains limited. This study traces its historical evolution, examining its linguistic and literary roles across manuscript and print cultures, and its decline within broader socio-linguistic shifts. It also reviews contemporary preservation and digitisation efforts, including initiatives like the Mappila Heritage Library, while critiquing image-based digitisation for its lack of searchable text. Emphasis is placed on recent advances in Unicode-based standardization, including keyboard design, font development, and annotated bibliographic work, as essential for creating accessible digital resources. The study further evaluates current Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and AI-driven text recognition technologies, highlighting persistent technical challenges. It argues that overcoming these limitations is key to meaningful digital transformation and calls for focused research in OCR development and corpus creation to ensure sustainable preservation and wider accessibility.
Rachana: Community–embedded Script Informatics and the Digital Preservation of Malayalam
This paper examines the Rachana movement (1999) as a community-driven intervention in Malayalam script technology and digital language preservation. Emerging in response to renewed script reform proposals in the late twentieth century, the movement defended the structural integrity of the traditional Malayalam script while demonstrating its compatibility with modern digital infrastructures, particularly the Unicode standard. Beginning as a small collaborative experiment in digital typography, Rachana evolved into a broader intellectual and technological initiative integrating open-source philosophy, font development, script standardization, and digital archiving. Through collaborations with platforms such as Swathanthra Malayalam Computing, the Sayahna Foundation, and the Rachana Institute of Typography, the movement established sustainable practices for Malayalam digitization and textual preservation. The study argues that script reform pursued without archival foresight risks fragmenting textual heritage in the digital era. In contrast, Rachana illustrates how historically coherent script architecture, aligned with Unicode and open technologies, can ensure both computational viability and the long-term preservation of linguistic and cultural knowledge. Keywords: Rachana Movement; Script Reform; Unicode; Digital Typography; Free and Open Source Software; Digital Preservation; Optical Character Recognition (OCR); Language Technology; Script Informatics; Malayalam Computing.