Consulate General of the United States Chennai, India

OFFICIAL TEXT

January 31, 2012

Remarks by U.S. Consul General Jennifer McIntyre at Oriental Research Institute, Mysore

As Prepared Text

Ladies and Gentleman -- good morning

This is my first visit to Mysore, and I cannot think of a better place to start my trip to this beautiful and historic city than by being here at the University of Mysore and the Oriental Research Institute.

I am aware of India’s immense and rich cultural heritage which is thousands of years old.  

I realize that one can spend several lifetimes in India and still only see a fraction of the incredible history and traditions, but I’ve made a good start.

Since I arrived in Chennai in August 2011, I have had the opportunity to witness some of these cultural traditions through dance and music performances, and visiting historical sites, temples, and museums  across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. I’ve also bent the ear of several scholars and historians to learn as much as I can.

As I stand here before the historic Oriental Research Institute which was established in 1891 by  His Highness Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar, the Maharajah of Mysore, I cannot but be humbled by the fact that this magnificent building has more than 70,000 rare palm leaf manuscripts  and over 40,000 books – many of which are several centuries old. 

I was told that the ORI collection includes the 4th century Arthasashtra written by Kautilya, an ancient Indian treatise on statecraft and military strategy which was in use for several centuries before the manuscripts disappeared. 

I would like to take a moment to pay my respects  to the great Indian scholar Dr. R.  Shamashastry who was a former librarian at the Oriental Research Institute  and to whom goes the credit for rediscovering the Arthasashtra manuscripts and bringing it to the attention of the world once again.    

The United States has deep respect for the cultural heritage and traditions of countries around the world including India.

The United States has provided grants of nearly $26 million for the preservation of 640 projects in more than 100 countries worldwide. These funds have been used to support a wide range of activities such as the restoration of historic buildings, assessment and conservation of museum collections,  archaeological site preservation,  documentation of vanishing traditional craft techniques, improved storage conditions for archives and manuscripts, and documentation of indigenous languages.

Therefore it gives me great pleasure to hand over a cheque for $50,000 on behalf of the U.S. Consulate General Chennai to the University of Mysore for the renovation and restoration of the Oriental Research Institute building.

We are happy to work together with ORI in the restoration of this institute. It is my sincere hope that the renovated institute will continue to be a Mecca for scholars across the world who want to learn about India’s past history and traditions.  

I place on record my deep appreciation for Vice Chancellor Talawar, and other ORI and Mysore University officials for working closely with the U.S. Consulate General Chennai to make this grant happen.  

I hope to come back to Mysore again soon, and look forward to seeing the changes here at the Oriental Research Institute as they are completed.

Thank you.