Researching history and cultural heritage Anil Shankhwalker
Xavier Centre of Historical Research was established in 1977 by the Society of Jesus ( Province of Goa ). The centre is designed to serve as a base for scholarly research in the history and cultural heritage of India with particular emphasis on contemporary culture and social issues affecting the state of Goa.
During the course of last 34 years the Institute has earned a reputation as one of the premiere Institute of India. It has established an identity of its own and is known for the academic research, organising national level seminars and workshops with a focus on the challenges facing Goa and India. The centre seeks to raise research consciousness among the local talent th lectures, seminars, exhibitions and other means.
The XCHR has got well equipped library which stocks around 30000 books including rare atlases , photocopied and cyclostyled Government reports, seminar papers, bibliographies, paper clippings and loose maps mainly in English and Portuguese languages. The centre has been building this Library along the following main areas of research -- Asia during the Portuguese presence in the east; Issues impacting developing countries; Church in Goa / India; Jesuits in Goa/ India; Goan and Indo- Portuguese History and History of Indo – Portuguese Christian Art.
The Library has also houses rare collection of journals, newspapers and other serial publications. The membership of this library is open to everyone. The annual membership fee for Indian citizen is Rs 2500, while for the students of Goa University the library registration fees are only Rs 500.
There is facility of one day registration for students of Goa University. For one day the students of M.A. are charged Rs 75 and for BA students Rs 50 will be charged. XCHR is not a lending library. And readers are not allowed to take the books outside the Library.
Besides Library XCHR has also got Xavier Museum which has a collection of select portions of Indians and Indo- Portuguese Christian Art. Some items in the collection are of unique and exquisite composition such as 20 original water colour paintings by renowned Goan painter Angelo da Fonseca. Conceived along the lines of ‘ interactive museum’ the exhibits are accompanied by multimedia / audio- visual presentations relating to Goan History and culture.
Another feature of XCHR is the Xavier Art Gallery where Goan artists can exhibits their creations . XCHR provides indoor and outdoor space for young and talented artists to showcase their skills.
XCHR has so far published/ supported publication of 22 books on various subjects. XCHR keeps scholars, institutions and Public inform about the new developments in the fields of Indo- Portuguese and Goan History.
The Director of XCHR Fr Savio Abreu, SJ, who took over as a Director of the Centre on 23rd May 2011 stated that he wants to increase the visibility and public profile of the Centre by organizing various events and activities as also to concentrate on improving and enhancing the academic and research component of XCHR so that it could maintain its eminent status as a premier research Institute in Goa. Keeping this vision in mind XCHR organized a National Seminar “ Goa 2011: Reviewing and Recovering 50 Years” in September 2011, in association with Directorate of Art and Culture. Nearly 150 people from different colleges and other educational and research institutions in Goa participated actively in the discussions and deliberations as 19 papers on diverse themes dealing with post – liberation Goan society were presented at the seminar.
Fr Abreu further stated that XCHR wants to reach out to schools in more ways through various competitions. They have also plans to organize training programmes for schools and colleges teachers on how to make History and research attractive to students and start courses in the History and Culture of Goa. Since XCHR do not receive grants from the state government they face financial crunch due to which they are unable to undertake activities on larger scale said Fr Abreu. (ENDS)
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