THE MAAHITEE-KOSH  PROJECT

Sensing the great need for technical knowledge in Marathi and being keenly aware of the impending global competition in textiles, two premier organisations came togethger to compile Marathi Encyclopaedia on textiles. The initiative of Dr Sarojini Vaidya, the founder Director of Rajya Marathi Vikas Sanstha was welcomed whole heartedly by Dr. Chandrakant Kane, Principal, Textile and Enginering Institute, Ichalkaranji. Major inspiration come from two leading textile experts, Shri Suresh Vaidya and Shri Vasant Ketkar.

As ideas were thrown up and discussed, it became clear that the task is Herculean. Several Marathi textile experts were approached to undertake editorial responsibilities for the proposed volumes. In turn, the editors as a group decided to approach many experienced and qualified experts to write a chapter or two in each volume. The response, indeed, was heartening. Over 80 persons volunteered to undertake the writing-editing responsibilities and many have already done so for 6 out of 8 volumes.

The idea of a Marathi Textile Encyclopaedia was mooted in late 1994, got crystalised in 1995 and work began in 1996. The first 4 volumes are ready for publication in early 2006, while the next 2 volumes are about 60% ready. The volumes on Apparel and Management have been started in 2005 and are expected to be ready by end 2006.

Both the institutions as well as the Editorial Board are unanimous in their view that this encyclopedia must reach a large number of libraries to be really useful to the intended readership. Therefore, the selling price of Vastra-nirmiti Maahitee-kosh has been kept at about 25% of the market price and at least 3000 copies are to be printed.

Knowledge can be used only if it reaches where it is needed.Therefore, the funding scheme has been so designed as to permit sending complimentary copies to over 1000 public libraries, mostly in textile centres of Maharashtra.