Preparation of encyclopedic dictionary on environment in TamilThis project highlights the enormous benefits that accrue from the collective wisdom involving external experts in the planning of the activities. In the first advisory committee meeting Prof. H. Y. Mohan Ram, citing the example of a Kannada encyclopedic dictionary on environment, pointed out the necessity of bringing in technically sound encyclopedic dictionary on environment in Tamil to educate local public, as environment is largely a local concern. Former Director of the Centre, Prof. Samuel Knight, took the responsibility and his intense and sustained efforts in the past three years saw the production of two volumes of Encyclopedic Dictionary on Environment in Tamil, 750 pages each. The Director roped in 72 Subject Experts, Language experts and reviewers, organized several combined sittings and review meetings, and took personal care on the complilation and delivery. Two thousand copies were printed and the price for the two volumes were fixed at a cost price of Rs.900/- (Rupees nine hundred only). The whole project was completed using only the Interest Accrued on Grant of Rs.5.30 Crore. The encyclopedic dictionary was released in the presence of Dr.A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Former President of India in April 2008. A snap shot of the preparation involved in this work is given below. . 5th Review Meeting in progress Experts of the 6th Review Meeting Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Receiving the First Copy Section of the Audience