: French Consul General in Puducherry Philippe Janvier Kamiyama today said that the union territory has provided a fertile ground for flourishing activities of the French Institute.
Inaugurating the 60th anniversary of the Institute, a research centre functioning under the joint supervision of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development and French National Centre for Scientific research here, he said that "the institute is one of our most remarkable institutions not only in India, but also abroad."
He said Puducherry had provided a particularly fertile ground for flourishing activities of the institute, which one could appreciate in view of its importance in the relations between France and India.
Kamiyama recalled the growth of the institute over the years and pointed out that the indology section remained a key spearhead in research activity.
He said the institute had been providing researchers with an incomparable place for meetings and enabling exchanges between western and Indian researchers.
In all its areas of expertise, whether in analyses of Sanskrit language and literature, history of religions, Tamil studies and archaeological heritage of South India, the institute has become a reference, he said.
Kamiyama said work of collection of about 8,500 ancient texts engraved on palm leaves which UNESCO has elevated to the status of Humanity's heritage has had a positive impact on research and for the preservation of memory of a ciivilisation whose pundits continue to collaborate with the institute.
Director of the French Institute Dr Pierre Grard and former Madras High Court Judge David Annousamy also spoke.
