| Sri
M N Rao was inducted into Indian Publishing Hall of Fame 1987. The extracts
of the same are presented here.
Indian Publishing Hall of Fame Inductees - 1987
Sri.Dev Raj Chawla
Prof.P.Lal
Sahitya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society
Posthumous
Shri Jawaharlal Nehru
Shri.K.M.Munshi
Shri.D.R.Mankekar
Shri.M.N.Rao
M.N.Rao (1924-1978) was a towering
personality in Indian publishing who promoted Telugu literature throughout
the country and abroad. Beginning his career as a textbook publisher
in his father's firm, M.Seshachalam&Co., he entered general publishing
after the nationalisation of textbooks in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh
at a time when books other than translations from Bengali and Hindi
were few and far between. He brought books from all corners of the country
within reach of the common man through two innovative ventures : the
Home Library Plan - which now covers at least 44,000 families- and EMESCO
Pocket Books Programme, under which 450 books, in addition to classics,
have been issued.
Rao played a
significant role in all branches of publishing. He edited a magazine,
Pusthaka Prapancham (Book World), and distributed books in India and
abroad.
He served the
publishing industry in several important capacities. As President of
Federation of Publishers and Booksellers Associations in India he conducted
seminars, symposia, training courses and workshops on book production
in India and abroad. He was a member of the Book Publication Committee
constituted by the Andhra Government to advise it on nationalisation
of textbooks; Board of Trustees of Southern Languages Book Trust; Advisory
committee of Madras Institute of Development Studies; a founder member
of Publishers Association of South India, and Director of the Book Industry
Council of South India
Introduction
The publishing Hall of Fame
was founded in 1987. It represents a simple idea pregnant with socially
significant objectives and impact. The idea is to acknowledge, acclaim
and honour those who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion
of publishing and the cause of book culture in India. A society, which
is obvious, unmindful or ungrateful, or lacks in the quality of affirmation
and appreciation, inevitably experiences an erosion of values and decline
of standards and momentum. An ancient country like India, with a glorious
heritage of culture of learning and the learning of culture cannot afford
to suffer such an erosion of values and decline of standards in the
field of publishing and book culture.
The Indian publishing Hall
of Fame is a token of our resolve to reinforce the fabric of those values,
to strengthen the striving for standards of excellence and to build
and sustain a dynamic momentum for promoting publishing and fostering
book culture. This innovative idea and the initiative to implement it
were widely welcomed when they were launched. I am confident the idea
will prove itself in the fullness of time.
Induction into the Hall of
Fame, though instituted by the Institute of Book Publishing, is not
restricted to those directly engaged in the production and marketing
of books. The scope of the idea and the operational plan extend to men
and women who have in diverse ways contributed to the wider sphere of
book culture: educationists, litterateurs, journalists, librarians,
statesmen. Induction is not confined to those living among us.
The selection procedures have
been built around a community of independent experts. Nominations for
induction are received in four categories: Promotion of book culture;
Promotion publishing Industry; book publishing; and book distribution.
The Indian Publishing Hall of fame is one of the several programmes
sponsored by the Institute of Publishing, non-profit-making body. Its
other activities include organisation of training courses, seminars
and workshops.
L.M.SANGHVI
Selection Board Chairman
Sponsor of Induction in Indian Publishing Hall
of Fame
Institute of Book Publishing
Sterling House
L-10,Green Park Extn. New Delhi-110016
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