Locals ignore top library as foreigners flock to it

Hyderabad: More foreigners than Indians are utilising the services of the one-of-its-kind Oriental Manuscripts Library and Research Institute in the city. Research scholars from Iran, Iraq, France, Italy and even the USA come to the institute to study the manuscripts there. “The data dates back several centuries, especially in Persian and Arabic languages. Such a collection is not available anywhere outside India. Hence, foreign students make it a point to come here,” said an official at the institute.

The major collection is on palm leaf and hand made paper in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Telugu, Kannada, Marathi, Sindhi languages. The manuscripts are related to 47 subjects, ranging from Quranic Exegesis to astrology and ancient forms of medicine. However, the decline in number of Indian research scholars, especially Telugu students, visiting the institute is an indicator of dwindling interest in subjects such as history and literature, an officer said.