Kannada encyclopaedia of medical sciences soon

After publishing 14,000 pages in 14 volumes of Kannada encyclopeadia, the Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies (KIKS) of Mysore University, is now engaged in publishing subject encyclopaedia.

As part of the encyclopaedia project in Kannada, the KIKS is working on producing an encyclopaedia of medical sciences. Production of each subject encyclopaedia, will cost around Rs 14 lakh. The printing of 5,000 copies is expected to cost Rs 11.5 lakh. In all, 30 subject volumes have been proposed and each volume of 1,200 pages will be priced at Rs 400.

For producing the Kannada encyclopaedia on medical sciences within 18 months, around 150 writers, engaged in producing works in medical sciences in Kannada, gathered at a one-day workshop in Mysore on January 20.

They were apprised of the shape, content, language, branches of medical sciences, scientific terminologies and challenges, and other aspects that go into the work.

The KIKS launched the task of producing the Kannada encyclopaedia in 1968 and completed the first task of producing and publishing 14 general volumes. It brought laurels to Mysore University as the first varsity in the country to produce a compact disk (CD) covering a wide range of subjects in these 14 volumes.

After completing the stupendous task of bringing out the general volumes, KIKS has now taken up the challenge of producing subject encyclopaedia. It has already brought out two volumes on geology and geography. It has taken up the task of producing its third encyclopaedia on medical sciences encompassing branches, according to KIKS Director R V S Sundaram, who is its chief editor.

Apart from these, the KIKS is also engaged in folklore encyclopaedia project, honorary editor S P Yoganna said.

According to Project Executive Editor H T Krishne Gowda, besides the said three, work has begun on eight other volumes too. Information technology and ancient history are among the subjects chosen. It is proposed to bring out one volume a year.

"The work taken by the KIKS is unique as no other university in India has taken up such a project of challenging magnitude of bringing science and its related subjects in the regional languages. Such a huge task can ensure that regional languages can become effective medium of instuiction in science too. It will not only bridge the gap in the regional languages on modern science and technology, but will also significantly enrich Indian languages," Sundaram added.