BERLIN (GERMANY), March 9: Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey has initiated efforts to bring back palm-leaf manuscripts from abroad.
On Friday, during his visit to Heidelberg University in Berlin, Germany, Minister Pandey discussed the return of palm-leaf manuscripts that Germany acquired from Nepal around 200 years ago.
Minister Pandey said he discussed Nepal-related studies and research with professors, researchers, students, and administrators at Heidelberg University’s South Asia Institute. Professor Dr Simon Cubelic, a renowned expert in Nepal studies and research, led the discussions.
“Various channels brought palm leaf manuscripts, dating back 600 to 700 years, to Germany. This university received a collection of these manuscripts around 200 years ago,” Minister Pandey wrote on Facebook. “The university believes Nepal should get these highly valuable materials back. We had extensive discussion about the necessary procedures and possibilities for their repatriation.”
After the Nepali Embassy in Germany initiated efforts and the Nepal government recently pushed to bring back the palm-leaf manuscripts, Heidelberg University committed to returning them.
Heidelberg University, founded in 1386, ranks among Europe's oldest universities.