When I was reading "Business Today", dated June 17, I came across this info: "Google will be digitizing 80000 manuscripts, inscriptions, and palm leaves avilable in the Mysore University archives". It further stated that the archive included the original version of Arthasasthra. There was no mention about tamil inscriptions, except that there were 100000 such inscriptions and other forms in the archive.
Though the task in hand is enormous, I hope Google will be able to complete the exercise. Waiting for the day when we all will be able to see the digital version of the tamil inscriptions, copper plates, and things like that that we have been discussing in our group.
This issue was raised in the yahoo group "Hindu Civilization" in the first week of june this year. There were many objections to this plan from various sections - academics, archaeologists and lay people. I believe the plan was shelved by Mysore University. The letter below was sent by Prof. Prasad of Mysore University. Sampath