09-29-2006, 02:05 AM
US Ambassador presents award to Bangalore-based college
Staff Reporter
For preservation of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, rare books
David C. Mulford takes a close look at the manuscripts â Photo: Shaju John
CHENNAI : A Bangalore-based Union Theological College received an award and grant from U.S. Ambassador David C. Mulford for preservation of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts on Wednesday at the US Consulate General in Chennai.
The principal of the college, O. V. Jathanna, received $ 15,000 granted from the Ambassador's Cultural Preservation Fund for preservation of palm-leaf manuscripts and rare books in the college archives and converting the information into microforms.
The college, which was established in 1910, has a collection of 2,000 manuscripts in several Indian languages. The 200-year-old manuscripts stand a testimony to cultural heritage of India and include information about folk literature, traditional systems of medicine and religious writings.
The other historic material include Mahatma Gandhi's letters to Christian leaders, writings of 18th century Tamil Christian poet Vedanayagam Sastriyar and first Tamil Bible printed in India.
US Consul General in Chennai David T. Hopper, and Consul for Public Affairs in the US Consulate Frederick J. Kaplan were also present.
The US Department of State helps countries preserve historic sites and manuscripts, museum collections and traditional arts through the grant.
Mr. Mulford also visited the Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine in Tambaram on the same day.