An OU research project which exhibits key historical links and cultural exchanges that took place between India and Britain from 1858-1950 and has been viewed by 6,000 visitors, has been invited back to India next week (25 September).
This follow-on, like the previous project, is led by Professor Susheila Nasta of The Open University in collaboration with Penny Brook of the British Library; Dr Florian Stadtler, OU Research Associate; and historian Rozina Visram.
The exhibition, which was due to end on 31 August 2012, has now been extended so that it can be featured alongside the project for a new diplomatic and Indian research audience by the AHRC and Research Councils UK (RCUK) in Delhi on 25 September.
Project director Susheila Nasta, Professor of Modern Literature at the OU, said: “This event which will take place at the British High Commission in Delhi will showcase the best of AHRC-funded UK-India humanities research. It will set up platforms for future India-British research partnerships and funding networks.
"Supported by the RCUK, the AHRC, the British High Commission and the Indian Ministry of Culture, the display of the exhibition will reach new Indian audiences drawn from HEI’s, the media industry, funding bodies and the cultural industries. This will further enhance Indian-British knowledge exchange and the wider cultural significance and impact of the OU project."
The exhibition presents a little-known aspect of the history of the relationship between both countries. On its extensive tour of northern and southern India in collaboration with the British Council and National Archives of India, it has already attracted over 6,000 visitors.
The display was accompanied by school workshops and digital learning webpages, hosted by the British Library. Monitoring forms revealed extensive positive feedback from teachers, students and the general public alike. The ‘Making Britain’ database, which underpins the research, has received 3,000 new visits per month since its launch in September 2010.
British Deputy High Commissioner, Eastern India, Sanjay Wadvani commented: “The Asians in Britain website and the database should be required reading for anyone joining the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s South Asia team.”
