Straight answers

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="" font-style:="" italic="">Rajan Jayakar</span><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">, Vice President, Asiatic Society, On the Asiatic Society''s upcoming fundraising auction </span><br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">The art auction on Jan 19 is yet another attempt at fundraising by the Asiatic Society.Is there a permanent solution for the battle for funds?</span><br /><br />Everybody needs to step in with financial help because this library is part of our culture. This year, the corporate houses have contributed significantly and we hope more will follow the example. We have even approached the state government for a substantial non-budgeted grant and we are hopeful that the government will assist us on the same. The art auction will have works by artists like MF Husain, Manjit Bawa, Aparna Caur, Paresh Maity among others. We can have a permanent solution only if we have a large enough grant.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">What will the funds be used for? </span><br /><br />The portion of the Town Hall, in which the Asiatic Society is located, needs constant maintenance as it is a heritage building. It is owned by the state government but we maintain the part of the premises that we occupy. We also have rare books and artifacts that need preservation and restoration. In fact to raise money, we also have an adopt-a-book scheme where corporates and individuals can pay for the restoration and upkeep of the book. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Have you considered digital archiving?</span><br /><br />We definitely want to consider creating a digital archive but that too entails a huge expense and we need all the financial help possible. <br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">The Asiatic Society had an awareness drive in the recent past as well. Has that worked at all?</span><br /><br />The Asiatic Library is a prominent venue for scholars where membership is nominal. In fact last year, as part of the awareness drive and bicentenary celebrations, we organised tours of the Asiatic where people could see the exhibits of the society. We want to make these tours part of Mumbai''s tourist map but, right now, with limited funds, our focus will still be restoration and preservation of the exhibits and books. <br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">vrushali.haldipur@timesgroup.com</span></div> </div>