College director welcomes grant of Rs 5 crore

Pune, Feb 29 (UNI) Prof K Padaiya, director of Deccan college here, has welcomed the additional grant of Rs 5 crore for his institution by Finance minister P Chidambaram in his budget proposals for 2008-09.

''I am happy that the Government of India and Parliament has recognized the special status of our college and to the importance of heritage studies'' said Padaiya, while reacting to the Rs 5 crore additional grant..

Talking to UNI, Prof Padaiya said that they has asked for a grant of Rs 5.75 crore that would be utilized for increasing research facilities, better equipment for archaeological excavations and explorations, better library facilities, scientific laboratories, better campus security and to have more public awareness educational programmes on heritage.

He said the College, that was established in 1821 by Lord Elphinstone, was a deemed university and had students enrolment from all over the country. ''Our studies include ancient, medieval, maratha history. linguistics and study of ancient languages like Sanskrit, while archaeology and culture are the focus'', he said adding that the institution comes under the State Government.

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