High Commission of India donates books to the Department of Library Services

The deputy High Commissioner of India in South Africa, Mr. Abhijit Chakraborty, virtually presented the University of Pretoria’s Department of Library Services with a substantial book donation on Thursday 11 June 2021.

Deputy Director Ms. Anna Siwela received the donation on behalf of the library director, and she welcomed the generous donation of 98 titles; a substantial gift during these financially difficult times. Ms Siwela reminded the online audience of the long-standing relationship that India and South Africa share, and she highlighted the two countries’ similarly diverse societies and emphasized that we have much to learn from each other

Deputy High Commissioner Chakraborty subsequently confirmed the existing relationship between the Indian High Commission and the University, particularly in seminars on political sciences and diplomacy.

Adrienne Warricker, as the languages librarian, indicated that the library looks forward to integrating the donated titles into existing collections. The donation covers titles on various topics, including art, poetry, politics, health, wellness, medicine, sport, economic development and fiction. Adrienne read aloud a poem written and translated by Indian poet and Nobel Prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore, to conclude the short virtual handover ceremony.

Interested parties may obtain the list of 98 titles from [email protected]