CHENNAI: This is one publication that will definitely look good on your book shelf. The volume-I of the Gazetteer titled `Madras (Chennai): A 400 year record of the First City of Modern India' dealing with `The Land, The People and Their Governance,' was formally presented at a function here on Tuesday.
The publication, which is the first of the three volumes on 400 years of the history of Chennai, has been edited by historian S. Muthiah and has contributions in the form of articles by members of the Association of British Scholars (ABS) of Chennai Chapter.
P. M. Belliappa, president of the ABS, Chennai, said that the volume-I contained 17 articles on various topics, including geography, wildlife, demography, archaeology, political parties, empowerment of women, religion, history, governance and law. The book has been published by Palaniappa Brothers, Konar Maaligai, 25, Peters Road, Royapettah and is priced at Rs.900. In his address, Mr. Muthiah said he hoped that students would be encouraged to research more on the history of the city. He said that the two other volumes of the book would be brought out by August 22, Madras Day. The second volume would be titled `Services, Education and the Economy' and would have 19 chapters, while the third would be on Information, Culture and Entertainment and would have 17 chapters.
Chris Gibson, Director, South India British Council, said the book was a landmark achievement for a group of dedicated scholars who believe in the spirit of internationalism and brotherhood. He said that 400 years may not seem a long time in the history of nations but it was a significant period in the context of the UK and India. It is a period of commerce, conquest, colonialism, freedom and in more contemporary times, bilateral and multilateral relationships, he added.
M.Murali, Director, Sri Krishna Sweets, and C.Venuprasad of ABS were felicitated on the occasion. Mr. Murali said that it was not an easy task to put together the 400 years of history of the city but ABS had been able to do so successfully.