The institute's library will offer over 2,000 books in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish and German, and will also offer students wishing to pursue a career in history in Marathi reserach material. Training in European languages like French, Portuguese, German, Spanish besides English will also be offered. Around 25 post-graduate students seeking a Ph D in science or other faculties will be trained in a one-year diploma course in the languages. The historical research institute will also explore facilities for research work on Vasai and surrounding areas,D'Silva said.

``I hit upon the idea of setting up the institute in order to inculcate a sense of the 2,000-year-old socio-economic history of Bassein (as Vasai was earlier known) and Mumbai among the younger generation of today,'' D'Silva told Express Newsline. The historian, also a recognised PhD guide at the University of Mumbai guiding MA, M Phil and Ph D students, hopes to make the institute operational by June 2000. At present, he is principal of the St Gonsalo Gracia College of Arts, Commerce and Science at Vasai, a post he took over in 1996 after 23 years as the Head of Department, History, at Vartak College, also in Vasai. His study is said to be the first comprehensive study of Bassein in the 16th century.

``I bought the plot for the institute with my own funds and contributions from my friends and well wishers from Bassein, Portugal and London,'' said Dr D'Silva. He has also generated funds out of the sale of ten history books authored by him in Marathi on Bassein's churches and thespread of Christianity in the area. D'Silva also plans to get the institute affiliated to the University of Mumbai.

The historian will also tap educational grants offered by universities and institutions based in countries like United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, France and Germany for the Rs 15 lakh he will need for his venture. He will be assisted by Dr Ramesh Kubal and Dr Cecilia Carvalho, both Ph Ds in Marathi, in his endeavour.

Caption: Dr Regin D'Silva at the Gonsalo Garcia college, Vasai, with his 320-page thesis on Bassein under the Portuguese, 1534-1640 - A Socio-Economic Survey