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(Source:: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3776507.ece)

A vast corpus of knowledge lies hidden in Sanskrit, a language many consider dead. Now, the faculty at Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, a non-profit educational institution, is going to excavate it, and make it available for the institute’s members.

Surgery, nuclear physics, chemistry, aeronautics. These are not terms one would normally associate with Sanskrit, a language that’s often referred to as dead, or written off as irrelevant in modern times. At best, it might be acknowledged as the original language of great epics and a storehouse of philosophy and poetry.

The faculty at Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute (KSRI), therefore, have their work cut out for them. A non-profit educational institution, it is dedicated to excavating the vast data that lies hidden in ancient Sanskrit writings and manuscripts.

The institute’s library is meticulously organised and stocked with over 60,000 books and journals (many of which are in English and foreign languages) that cover every sphere of knowledge — from law to medicine.

“From simple formulae used to find cube roots in mathematics to measuring the diameter of the earth, many are not aware that Sanskrit writings have this information,” says Dr. K.S. Balasubramanian, deputy director of the Institute.

In the room next to the library, Dr. T.V. Vasudeva, professor of Sanskrit, proudly gives a tour of the shelves containing Sanskrit manuscripts that are as old as 500 years, dealing with subjects as varied as architecture and history. They are carefully preserved, and details about the condition of the text, the contents and the origin are noted in a master register.

When KSRI received affiliation to the University of Madras in 1983, it began to offer M.Phil and Ph.D degrees. Unfortunately, a dearth of funding means that faculty members of the Institute did not benefit from the Sixth Pay Commission.

Heavily reliant on donations from private organisations and individuals, it has now announced a life membership scheme that would enable it to build a much-needed corpus fund.

“An individual who pays a minimum of Rs. 2,000 will receive our publications for lifetime”, says Dr. Balasubramanian.

“Our aim is to get around 2,000 subscribers and the interest accruing from the corpus fund will be used to publishing quality books in the future, both in Sanskrit and English,” he says.

For details on supporting the Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute or becoming a life member, call 044-24985320 or email ksrinst@gmail.com.

Contact & payment information: Dr.  K.S.Balasubramanian, Dy.Director, Kuppuswamy Sastri Research
Institute, Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai. Phone- 044-24985320

Bank particulars for local donors

Name of the Institute:        THE KUPPUSWAMI SASTRI RESEARCH INSTITUTE.

                                                84, Thiru vi ka Road (Royapettah High Road)

                                                Mylapore

                                                Chennai 600 004.

                                                Phone: 24985320

Contact Person                  Dr.V.Kameswari, Director

Our Bank                              Union Bank of India, Mylapore Branch

A/c type & No.                     S.B.Account No. 395702010007408

IFSC CODE:                         UBIN0539571

MICR NO.                              600026009

 For foreign contributions:

PLEASE REMIT PROCEEDS TO 

Name of the Institute: THE KUPPUSWAMI SASTRI RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Wells Fargo Bank,Newyork,usa 

SWIFT Address : PNBPUS3NNYC

swfit code is:  UBININBBOMD

CHIPS ABA : 0509                 FED ROUTING No. : 026005092

FOR CREDIT TO A/C  2000193008506   OF

UNION BANK OF INDIA, OVERSEAS BRANCH, CHENNAI

Our a/c. No. at the Mylapore branch : 395702010007619

Please instruct the bank at your end accordingly

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