Priceless manuscripts fall prey to careless upkeep

This premier institute though has a reason to take pride in its rare manuscripts and ancient astronomical instruments, with some of them being collected by none other than Sayajirao Gaekwad, At present, it is woefully short of space and manpower.

Much to the embarrassment, the university authorities are not even aware that Sayajirao had donated two fireproof wooden almirah8217;s to the Oriental Institute. It was first installed in 1927, and they are now lying unoccupied in Hansa Mehta Library.

8220;The almirahs were especially brought by Sayajirao Gaekwad from London to keep royal jewels. However, realising the importance of the manuscripts, the almirahs were donated to the Institute,8221; said M L Wadekar, in-charge director of the Institute.

He added that the university engineer had said that due to its weight and 8216;technical reasons8217; they could not be shifted to the University Press where the Institute is located.

Interestingly, MSU engineer N K Oza said he is not aware of any such issue. 8220;8230;Neither do I know about the problem of space faced by the Oriental Institute in keeping the manuscripts,8221; he added.

An official of the Oriental Institute said on condition of anonymity: 8220;There is no proper staff to maintain the manuscripts. Technically, the manuscripts should be kept in clinical laboratories. However, no attention has been paid so far.8221;

Reacting to this, Wadekar said: 8220;Sayajirao had a vision to build this institute much before the MSU came into existence. It was shifted to the Hansa Mehta Library so that the students could refer it. One would suggest that minimal requirement such as Internet connections, its location within the university campus as well as the space to keep the manuscripts should increase.8221;

Jyoti Bhatt, in-charge librarian of Hansa Mehta Library, said: 8220;The Oriental Institute was positioned at the library8217;s ground floor from year 1949 to 1995. However, the almirahs could not be shifted. The keys are still lying with the Institute authorities and the cupboards are in the library.8221;