Having remained the seat of the imperial government from 1888 to 1947, the Viceregal Lodge has transitioned from being the most imposing relic of the British Raj into an acclaimed seat of academic research and learning — the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) that was set up in Shimla in 1965.

In an exclusive interview with Pratibha Chauhan, IIAS Director Prof Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi speaks about the new initiatives he has taken after assuming charge to conserve the heritage structure, infuse academic vibrancy, introduce new fellowships, strengthen the library, have a green campus and enhance income.

IIAS Director Prof Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi

What are the new academic initiatives that you have taken after assuming office?

I strongly felt that Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the scholar who had visualised the IIAS and was a bridge between the East and the West. The general body of the IIAS has approved a Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan fellowship on an equal footing as the Tagore fellowship. The general body has also approved a second Deendayal Upadhyaya fellowship, for which formalities are being completed.

To facilitate fundamental and contemporary research, not just limited to academicians, a Scholar at Large fellowship will be started, where the researchers (5) will not be required to stay at the institute but can do their academic work from where they are based. The IIAS will publish their manuscripts. The IIAS will also take up a project for the preservation and digitisation of the Himalayan manuscripts from Himachal and Uttarakhand, with the help of the Union Ministry of Culture.

What other areas you would like the IIAS to focus on?

The IIAS is also taking initiatives to promote art and culture. We organised a five-day live workshop on Kangra miniature paintings. Two artists, from the ninth generation practising Kangra art, gifted 25 of their works. We are setting up a gallery dedicated to Kangra miniature paintings, with all detailed illustrations to propagate Indian art. We will also exhibit 20 illustrations of Vande Matram to let people understand the journey of the national song. We are also bringing out a coffee table book of 80 pages — Vande Matram: A Journey.

The IIAS boasts of one of the finest libraries housing the rarest of rare books. Is it being strengthened further?

Things keep changing very fast in the academic world and the library is one such area. Our library has more than 1.50 lakh rare books. We have made substantial changes and are fast moving towards having an e-library, especially due to the paucity of space. The library is almost automated and we are connected through one nation-one subscription in which we have more than 10,000 international journals on e-platforms.

The majestic British-time heritage building of the IIAS needs conservation. What steps have been taken to protect and preserve this magnificent architectural marvel?

We are aware about the need to conserve the IIAS building, which has been a witness to the making of history. The Central Government has sanctioned more than Rs 60 crore for this task and the conservation of the Kitchen Wing, which was in a dire need of restoration, is nearing completion. After this, the work on the restoration of the building housing offices will be taken up.

What is the footfall of visitors coming to see the IIAS?

As people have a lot of interest in the historical IIAS, more than two lakh people visited the institute last year. We are keen to undertake green initiatives and acquire e-carts to have a pollution-free environment, for which we will be seeking funds under corporate social responsibility (CSR) from industrial houses. The entry ticket, too, has been enhanced to make the IIAS a self-sustaining

institute.