Edu-leaders

US State Department has granted $50,000 to Oriental Research Institute of the University of Mysore for preserving rare manuscripts. US Consul General Jennifer McIntyre handed over the cheque to the vice-chancellor of Mysore University, Prof VG Talwar.

Prof Talwar said, “The University will take steps to release money for the institute as we have to digitise documents and create a library of microfilms.”

Oriental Research Institute was established in the year 1891 by the then ruler of Mysore. The Institute has a rare collection of 35,000 palm leaf bundles and paper manuscripts which is considered equivalent to 75,000-80,000 Sanskrit works.

Kautilya’s Arthashastra written in 4th century BC was discovered, edited and published by Vidwan Shamashastry of this Institute. The nine volumes Encyclopdia in Sanskrit, Sritattavanidhi, compiled in 19th century by the Mysore ruler Krishnaraja Wodeyar III is among the prized possessions of the Institute.