For the first time, a Telugu person from the newly-formed Telangana State Yellapragada Sudharshan Rao has been appointed chairman of the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR).
A retired professor of Department of History, Kakatiya University, Sudharshan Rao has 40 years of teaching experience and has over 40 research papers to his credit published in various national and international journals.
At 67, he looks young and agile exuding keen interest in reading and writing. Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Rao expressed happiness over his appointment as chairman to the national body.
“My first priority is to secure more funds for the council to carry out original research, digitise the Indian history and bring back precious documents, manuscripts and inscriptions from museums in America, UK and other European countries belonging to India,” he said.
“India has 7,000 to 8,000 years of history. It needs to be studied in detail and digitised properly for the benefit of our posterity. The subject history is not a course, but it interests every individual to know about one’s own ancestors, language and culture. We will strive to bring out history in a new perspective,” Mr. Rao said.
Hailing from Kolhapur of Mahabubnagar district, Mr. Rao began his teaching career at Kakatiya University. After retirement, he settled down in Hanamonda. He guided eight PhD and 15 MPhil students besides editing numerous books and contributing to the AP History Congress. He said he would strive to separate the history of Telangana region from the volumes brought out by the AP History Congress on history of Andhra Pradesh. He had earlier served as the member of ICHR and was conversant with the functioning of the council.
He said he would initiate new research projects and simplify the documentation so that it would reach the masses to create interest in history.
Mr. Rao, who is likely to assume office on June 28 at New Delhi, said the budget proposals were being prepared by the Government of India. He would ensure more allocation to the ICHR and encourage more students to opt for the subject and new research projects.
He opined that there was lack of study of history in terms of ‘original research’.
