Dr. S.K. Bhatia (b.1941) Bannu NFWP, has to his credit 40 books and more than 300 articles on Lib Sc. & Books Trade. He was most popular Librarian turned author-cum-publisher, is a post graduate diploma holder in Business Management, Library Science, Journalism, BAMS and MRSH (London). He has been associated with books since 958 as Ast. Librarian in PLGL DAV College, Delhi. He served as President, DSBPA for continues 7 years which is record in the history of Indian book trade and before that he has been in FIP, FEPI etc at various levels. Also associated with many organizations like ISKON, Brahama Kumari’s, Lions Hospital, Lions Club, Punjabi Bagh Club and many institutes. In 1985 he started his own publishing house Reliance Publishing House in which he published more then 330 titles with specialization in database directories like “Directory of Universities and Colleges of India” and “Directory of Indian Book Industry” which are still the great trade tools. Before 1985 he was associated with DK Publishers & Distributors and Lalwani Bros. He was life member of Common Cause, Indian Library Association, Indian Society of Authors and Federation of Educational Publishers in India.
He passed away on 24th Feb 2010 at Gangaram Hospital after the prolong illness from Heart and Leg problems. He fought well with his illness for the last 3 years but after the sudden demise of his younger brother Sh Vijay Bhatia on 11 Feb 2010, he was shocked and dis heartened and couldn’t cope up.
In his diary he wrote that I have lived my life king size and made hundreds of friends from Academic, Library, Book Trade, Politics, Police and common man. When his office was opened on 27th Feb in the evening after the Uthala Ceremony, Small Street and mohalla children were found praying outside the gate with flowers and candles.
