How a Commerce Student Became a Historian! ❤️

On Eminent Historian A. R. Venkatachalapathy | today’s The Hindu

& MCC-ians Shine @ MIDS

#newspaperinlearning #arv #library

MIDS is a well-curated library open to the general public says the writer Pon Vasanth, in this insightful article on the Awesome Library @ MIDS.

What is Unique About the MIDS Library?

The MIDS library pales in comparison with Connemara Public Library and the Anna Centenary Library that have millions of books.

However, it stands out with its easily accessible collection of books not only on economics but also on a variety of subjects.

MIDS – Founded by a Professor of Economics at MCC

On an aside, the eminent MIDS - The Madras Institute of Development Studies – [reconstituted as a National Institute in March 1977 under the joint sponsorship of the Government of India through the ICSSR and the Government of Tamil Nadu] was founded in 1971, by a Professor of Economics at the Madras Christian College Dr. Malcolm S Adiseshiah and Mrs. Elizabeth Adiseshiah, shortly after Dr. Adiseshiah's retirement as Deputy Director-General of UNESCO.

How a Commerce Graduate became a Historian

In 1986, when historian A. R. Venkatachalapathy started visiting the library of the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), he did not realise he was commencing a nearly-four-decades-long bond with the institute.

Despite being a commerce student at Vivekananda College, he had made up his mind to become a historian.

The MIDS library proved to be the refuge in this pursuit.

ARV: Quits Better Paying Faculty Job for Research

In 2001, when he decided to quit a better paying faculty job at a State-run university to join the MIDS to focus more on research, it was no wonder that the library was one of the key attractions that helped him seal the decision.

With economics-related studies taking pre-eminence at the MIDS, Mr. Venkatachalapathy says one would assume the institute’s library to stock up on works mostly related to economics. 

However, it maintains an impressive collection on a variety of fields like sociology, anthropology, history, philosophy, and linguistics.

MIDS: A Well-Maintained Library

Chennai is home to huge libraries like Connemara Public Library and the Anna Centenary Library that have millions of books.

The MIDS pales in comparison with these libraries in terms of collection.

But what makes the MIDS library stand out is how well curated and maintained it is, says Mr. Venkatachalapathy, now a professor at the institute.

K. N. Raj Library: The Only Rival to MIDS, Based in Thiruvananthapuram

He contends that the only library in this region of India that can rival the quality and curation at the MIDS is the K. N. Raj Library at the Centre for Development Studies in Thiruvananthapuram.

It is housed in a beautiful building designed by architect Laurie Baker.

L. Venkatachalam, Officiating Director and Reserve Bank of India Chair Professor at the MIDS, concurs.

For instance, he points out that the MIDS, with its collection of classical texts like the works of Adam Smith and John Maynard Keynes, has the best collection of books in the field of history of economic thought.

R. Murugan, the librarian at the MIDS, says the library houses around 63,000 works, including books, back volumes of journals, and rare maps.

Specialty of the Library

A speciality of the library is the extensive collection of government publications and statistical reports, dating to the late 19th Century.

With efficient organising and well-experienced staff members, the users have to wait only for a few minutes to find what they are looking for, he says.

First Librarian of MIDS on C. T. Kurien

S. Subbalakshmi, the first librarian of the MIDS, from 1978 until 2007, says the emphasis on maintaining a well-stocked library has been there since the early days of the institute, started by economist Malcolm Adiseshiah in 1971.

When first tasked with organising over 6,000 books in possession of the institute at that time, she fondly remembers how the then Director, C.T. Kurien, [C. T. Kurien is again, an illustrious alumnus of Madras Christian College, who graduated in 1953 with a Master’s Degree in Economics], gave her the freedom to choose between the Dewey system or the Ranganathan system of cataloguing. “I chose the Dewey system as it was simpler for everyone to understand,” she says.

Open to Members of the Public

Mr. Murugan says the institute is also hoping for more patrons for the library, which is open to members of the public.

While the option to borrow books is restricted to the faculty members and research scholars, members of the public can access the books and other reference materials from 9.45 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on weekdays.

PS: This blogger, being a regular visitor to MIDS, has posted hundreds of articles on our blog, on MIDS, and its Myriad Initiatives. You may want to browse through them HERE on our blog.

Interestingly, the legendary Arvind Mehrotra was also here @ MIDS, ten years ago, and you may want to read more on that event in our past blog post HERE.

Recently, I also remember gifting Dr. ARV’s books to my dear students. His books are also available for purchase online at Amazon e-store HERE.

Pic courtesy: Today's The Hindu, Chennai Edition