In a significant development for Goa’s academic library ecosystem, Dr. Sonia Mukesh Desai has been unanimously chosen as the third President of the Goa College Librarians’ Association (GCLA). The election took place during the Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held on 26th August at the Krishnadas Shama Goa State Central Library. Dr. Desai now leads a newly constituted executive committee that brings together a compelling mix of experience and fresh energy.
Her team includes Dr. Sudhir Halvegar as Vice President, Mrs. Prayangi Vishal Matonkar as Secretary, Mr. Sunil Madhukar Gauns as Treasurer, and executive members Mr. Milind Gauns, Mr. Pranay Sawant Dessai, and Mrs. Poonam M. Joshi, all committed to strengthening the voice of college librarians across the state.
Founded in 2016 under the visionary leadership of former librarian Mrs. Nirmala Parab, the GCLA was established with the core mission of uniting librarians from higher education institutions on a common platform.
At the AGM, the outgoing President, Dr. Bala Mandrekar, extended his warmest congratulations to the incoming team and expressed complete trust in their capacity to elevate the association to new milestones.
In her first address as President, Dr. Desai laid out an ambitious yet inclusive vision. Taking a moment to look back with warmth, she also expressed her sincere gratitude to every member for reposing their trust in her and entrusting her with this prestigious responsibility. Her remarks, filled with both humility and optimism, heralded the dawn of a progressive and collaborative new chapter for the GCLA and its community of library professionals.
