The most learned of them all

It fills me with joy that Asko Parpola has been awarded the inaugural Tamil Classical Award for 2009. Not merely because I am interested in the same topics as the Finnish scholar is. I have always felt, reading Parpola’s voluminous books on Indus script, that he is one scholar who knows more about India than any Indian academic

Parpola had devoted his entire life for this research. It was not just for taking a doctoral degree that he did his research for - a common practice among our university-educated youth. Parpola’s excellent academic background backs up his genuine interest and enthusiasm devoted to the study of Indology.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi could not have found a better choice than Parpola for the inaugural award.

Full report here New Indian Express