India may be a much hotter topic among students in Utah schools next year, thanks to a donation given to schools across the state.

Zions Bank will donate books about India to all libraries in elementary, junior high and high schools throughout the state to coincide with the beginning of the school year next fall. Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and Utah State Office of Education K-12 social studies specialist Robert Austin accepted the presentation of the books during the bank's International Trade and Business Conference.

"I think it's always great to help enlarge a student's world view, and that's what social studies is all about. That's why I was excited to be part of announcing the donation," Austin said. "For me, what it really signifies is we're all in this together in terms of the community in educating our students."

India was chosen as the subject of the books for several reasons.

"One reason is that Gov. Huntsman identified India as one of the key areas internationally to do business with," said Rob Brough, executive vice president of marketing and communications for Zions Bank. "This is an opportunity to help increase education about India among children in high school, junior high and elementary.... We presented it to the governor in honor of the Huntsman adoption of Asha from India."

Austin said while world geography is already taught in both junior high and high school, it's difficult to teach about every country. Receiving books about India will be a way to emphasize the country in ways not possible in half a year of geography.

"The reality is that trying to cover all of the world is difficult in any curriculum," he said. "This will certainly help reinforce Asia and India."

High school and junior highs and middle schools will receive a copy of "India Unveiled" by Robert Arnett, which offers a photographic portrait of the people, landscape and cultures of India. Elementary and junior-high libraries will be provided a copy of Arnett's "Finders Keepers?" a true story that teaches multicultural respect.

"These are wonderful books. The book 'India Unveiled' is a beautiful educational portrait of India told through photographs," Brough said. "'Finder's Keepers?' is a children's lesson in multicultural respect for children of all ages."

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