University in India acquires Scots library of 8,000 books to help students on Scottish Studies maters
A
PRIVATE library of Scottish literature collected by a former inspector of
Scottish schools has been donated to an Indian university.
The
collection of around 8,000 books will be used to support the study of Scottish
literature at the University of Bankura, the first university in India to run a
course in Scottish Studies at masters level.
The
library has been donated by the family of Jim Alison, OBE, who died in August
and was an active member of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies
(ASLS).
The
gift has been welcomed by the university which ran a Scottish literature
conference in January attended by Scottish academics.
“Words
fail to express my gratitude to all who endeavoured to make this great mission
successful,” said Bankura Vice Chancellor Professor Deb Narayan Bandyopadhyay.
“I
believe that this event of donation of 8,000 books to Bankura University will
one day become part of history as an instance of cultural transactions between
Scotland and India.
“I
can foresee Bankura University will emerge as a new academic destination for
Scottish Studies with scholars flocking around the library and James Alison
immortalised in the heart of all the students and teachers of Bankura University.”
Organised
by the ASLS, the cost of transporting the books – currently on a ship in the
Indian Ocean – has been supported with a £4,000 grant from the Scottish
Government.
Alison’s
family decided to donate the books after a suggestion from Alan Riach,
Professor of Scottish Literature at the University of Glasgow, who gave the
final lectures of last year’s Scottish studies course at Bankura.
Professor
Riach, who described Alison as “one of the best men he had ever known,” said he
had spoken with his family at the funeral and found that they were wondering
what to do with the books.
“I
mentioned that one possibility might be to donate it to the University as a
foundation resource for Scottish literature in India. The family were taken by
this idea so the ASLS swung into action.”
The
logistics of transporting the books to Bankura turned out to be more difficult
than expected but, after much searching, Ronnie Renton, another member of the
association, found a Milngavie-based company who agreed to take on the job. It
took two men two days to pack the books for shipping.
“I
was overwhelmed when I saw the collection,” said Renton. “There were so many
books. I could not believe he had them all and they will be a wonderful asset
to a university.
“He
was a very learned man and an expert in Scottish children’s literature. After
he retired he worked on the ASLS Education Committee where he helped to develop
a lot of materials for Scottish schools. His knowledge of Scottish culture and
language was enormous and that is reflected in this collection.”
A
gold medal winner as an undergraduate student at the University of Glasgow, Mr
Alison chose to go into teaching rather than academia and became a deputy head
teacher in Aberdeen before becoming the lead HMI inspector for English in
Scotland.
“As
an inspector he was thorough, kind and encouraging and was highly-respected,”
said Renton. “He did a lot of work to ensure Scottish literature has its proper
place in schools. He recognised that the cultural part of any country is
important as it gives people self confidence. If kids realise that what they
have in their culture is worthwhile then they don’t feel at the bottom of the
heap.”
The
books, rather appropriately, were uplifted for shipment on St Andrew’s Day and
are due at the university next week.
ASLS
President Alison Lumsden, Professor of English and Scottish Literature at the
University of Aberdeen, said the association was “delighted” to support the
initiative.
“Jim
was the most generous of colleagues and he was passionate about both Scottish
literature and education,” she said. “We were all saddened by his death but
seeing his collection of Scottish books sent to India to support Scottish
studies is a wonderful legacy.
“One
of the core aims of ASLS is the promotion of Scottish literature
internationally and it is gratifying to see the way it is now being appreciated
and studied in many places across the world. That Jim’s legacy can contribute
to that is very fitting.
“The
ASLS thank Jim’s family for providing this opportunity and the Scottish
Government for their support of our work.”
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior
Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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