Urdu Research Library

The Sundarayya Vignana Kendram is now also entrusted with the task of preserving a very valuable Urdu Collection of books, manuscripts, journals, periodicals, etc., collected and preserved so far by Mohamad Abdus Samad Khan, under the name Urdu Research Library. The collection, considered to be only one of its kind in the entire South Asia, consisting of more than 60,000 books, journals and periodicals in series and manuscripts, dating from the 17th century A.D. If counted individually, the collection is more than 60,000 in number. This Urdu collection is purchased, at a cost of $50,000 by Urdu Research Library Consortium, in June 1996. The Consortium, consisting of some American Universities and Institutions, is headed by University of Chicago, Chicago, United States of America. Mr. James H. Nye, Bibliographer for Southern Asia, The University of Chicago Library is now engaged in raising funds for the preservation of the Urdu material, now housed at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. The work of processing, microfilming, and putting information on the World Wide Web Site is now carried out by the Consortium in collaboration with Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. The Consortium is acquiring latest Computers, Microfilming Cameras, Microfilm Processor, Microfilm Reader, Flat Bed Scanners, Xerox Machine and the other equipment for the processing of the material at Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. After the completion of project the ownership over the Urdu collection will be transferred to the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram. In other words, the Kendram will have to raise donations for its CORPUS FUND, so as to meet the maintenance and staffing cost of the fast growing existing library collections and the newly housed Urdu collection as well.

The Sundarayya Vignana Kendram and its Research Library are also entering into MoU with several like minded Public/Educational Institutions to create Machine Readable Computer Records of Urdu material published between 1800 and 1950s. The Kendram is simultaneously exploring the feasibility of microfilming rare printed materials published before 1950s and thus preserve our cultural heritage for posterity.

We are now in a crucial phase of consolidation and expansion. To run the Research Library and the attached Public Reading Room effectively, we need massive financial help. An annual running cost of all the wings of Kendram requires around 25 lakh rupees. Ours is a Non-Profit and Non-income generating Trust, which has taken over its shoulders a heavy responsibility of public service, and the preservation of our Cultural Heritage for posterity. To undertake this public service, the Kendram is making all endeavors to raise donations for its CORPUS FUND. The interest from the CORPUS FUND will be used to meet its annual costs.

We are coming to Public with a request to HELP the Sundarayya Vignana Kendram with liberal donations towards its CORPUS FUND which are exempted under Indian Income-tax Act, 80 G., or with donations of useful material to its' Research Libraries. We also APPEAL to all the individuals, institutions, political parties, cultural and literary organisations, freedom fighters, trade unions, women, peasant and other organisations, to come forward and strengthen our Research Library in whatever way they can.

Also see Urdu Research Library