Source: Press Release
STONY BROOK, NEW YORK, December, 3, 2001: Leaders of the Indian community, scholars, and artists gathered last Saturday to celebrate Stony Brook University’s Center for India Studies’ fourth year of bringing Indian culture and scholarship to the New York area. The evening’s program included the honoring of distinguished contributors to Indian art, education and community fellowship. The gala event raised $250,000 toward a $750,000 fund-raising goal. Dr. Nirmal K. Mattoo, the new President of the India Studies Foundation said that the monies are intended to create a permanent endowment for the Center, so that the kind of quality programs on India that the Center has initiated and that have found resonance in the community can continue in perpetuity. The Center offers about 20 courses a year on topics such as Indian history, languages, literature, religions, music, dance, and foreign affairs. In the last four years, over 2500 undergraduates have taken courses in India Studies. The Center has conducted numerous outreach programs in area schools, universities, museums, libraries, and community organizations.