Prime Minister launched ‘Gyan Bharatam Portal’, a dedicated platform for manuscript digitisation, preservation, and public access. Launched during the International Conference on Gyan Bharatam at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Part of the Gyan Bharatam Mission (2024–31), restructured from the National Mission for Manuscripts (2003).
Key Highlights
- Conference Theme: “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage”.
- Participants: 1,100+ scholars, experts, institutions, cultural practitioners (India & abroad).
- Discussions included:
- Manuscript conservation & digitisation technologies.
- Metadata standards, legal frameworks, cultural diplomacy.
- Deciphering ancient scripts (including the Harappan/Indus Valley script).
- Exhibition: Rare manuscripts on display + scholarly presentations.
Gyan Bharatam Portal
- National platform to identify, document, conserve, and digitise manuscripts.
- Will create a National Digital Repository with AI-driven tools for:
- Search, translation, annotation.
- Public access for scholars & citizens.
- Also supports:
- Research, translation, and publication of rare manuscripts.
- Capacity building for conservators & scholars.
- Public collaboration and international partnerships.
- Aligns with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by integrating knowledge heritage with modern technology.
Objectives of Portal
- Digitise, preserve, and provide open access to India’s manuscripts.
- Enable AI-supported translation and research.
- Strengthen India’s role as a knowledge superpower.
- Support NEP 2020, which emphasises integration of traditional knowledge systems into modern education.
Importance of Initiative
- India has 5–10 million manuscripts, one of the largest collections globally.
- Cover diverse fields: Philosophy, Medicine (Ayurveda), Astronomy, Literature, Governance.
- Many manuscripts are fragile → digitisation prevents loss of heritage.
- Enhances India’s cultural soft power and global knowledge diplomacy.
- UNESCO has listed manuscripts like the Rigveda in its Memory of the World Register.
National Mission for Manuscripts – Gyan Bharatam Mission
- Established: 2003, restructured as Gyan Bharatam Mission (2024–31).
- Ministry: Ministry of Culture.
- Nodal Agency: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
- Budget: ₹482.85 crore (2024–31).
- Manuscript Estimates: ~10 million manuscripts in India.
- Infrastructure:
- 49 Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs).
- 54 Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs).
- Objective: Survey, documentation, conservation, digitisation, research, capacity building, outreach.
Manuscripts
- Definition: Handwritten text on paper, bark, palm leaf, cloth, or metal (must be at least 75 years old).
- Exclusions: Printed volumes, lithographs.
- Scripts: Same language may be in multiple scripts (e.g., Sanskrit → Devanagari, Oriya, Grantha).
- Knowledge Content: Philosophy, science, art, literature (not administrative records like firmans or revenue records).
Historical Notes
- Nawab of Awadh gifted an illuminated Padshahnama manuscript to King George III (18th century).
- Hiuen Tsang (7th century) carried manuscripts to China.
- Colonial Scholars: William Jones, Colin Mackenzie, Charles Wilkins, H.T. Colebrooke, etc., studied & catalogued Indian manuscripts.
- Early Cataloguing: 1803 – by H.T. Colebrooke (Asiatic Society of Bengal).
Institutions for Manuscript Conservation
- National Library of India, Kolkata – ~3,600 rare manuscripts.
- Asiatic Society of Bengal (1784) – Pioneering role in manuscript preservation.
- IGNCA (1987) – Key cultural research institution under Ministry of Culture.
Contribution to National Vision
- Supports Digital India & Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Preserves India’s knowledge legacy while adopting AI and digital tools.
- Strengthens India’s role as a custodian of ancient wisdom and promotes global soft power.