Rafique Aziz
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
With the aim of developing manuscript heritage by creating a National Digital Repository (NDR) of rare Indian manuscripts, the union Ministry of Culture (UMoC) has launched an ambitious ‘Gyan Bharatam Mission’ (GBM) in all over the country including Maharashtra.
Before the dissemination of traditional knowledge, the mission will be implemented in three stages – documentation (through survey and cataloguing), digitisation (scanning and geo-mapping), and preservation (using modern technology). To ensure the smooth implementation of the mission in the state, the UMoC has appointed two Cluster Centres – Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), Pune, and Kavi Kulaguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Nagpur – along with two Independent Centres – Anandashram Samsthan and Bharat Itihas Sanshodhak Mandal (both from Pune).
The Director of the state’s Directorate of Archives, Sujeet Kumar Ugale, has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for the implementation of the mission in Maharashtra. Ugale elaborated, “Gyan Bharatam is an ambitious mission of the Government of India to bring hidden knowledge to the fore by developing manuscript heritage. It will later be disseminated for future generations. Under the guidance of the two Cluster Centres, the survey of manuscripts in Maharashtra commenced on 15 March and will continue until 15 June (three months). Individuals and organisations are encouraged to download the ‘Gyan Bharatam’ mobile application, register, and provide details such as the number of manuscripts, their condition, language, and photographs (where required). There are no restrictions regarding religion or period. Manuscripts in Devanagari, Sanskrit, Pali, Persian, Modi, and other rare languages are welcome. Following verification and authentication, the digitisation process (scanning and geo-mapping) will be carried out, and the manuscripts will be preserved in the NDR. I would like to clarify that ownership of the manuscripts will remain with the individual or organisation.”
Meanwhile, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the National Gallery of Modern Art (Mumbai), the South Central Zone Cultural Centre, and others will play a pivotal role in implementing the mission.
According to ASI sources, “The Secretary of the union Ministry of Culture, Vivek Agarwal, held an online meeting and reviewed the progress of the mission in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra on Wednesday. ASI (Aurangabad Circle) also participated in the meeting.”
The Superintendent Archaeologist of ASI (Aurangabad Circle), Dr Shiv Kumar Bhagat, has appealed to individuals and organisations in the Marathwada and Khandesh regions to contact the office for guidance if they possess any manuscripts.
“Gyan Bharatam Mission is being implemented in phases. I have appointed nine ASI officials as coordinators for its implementation across 13 districts under our jurisdiction. The names and contact details of these officers are available at the office. They will guide applicants, district-wise, in registering on the mobile application and completing the subsequent process. While ownership of the manuscripts will remain unchanged, such valuable contributions will help in the development of manuscript heritage,” said Dr Bhagat, adding that the manuscripts would also provide recognition to their custodians.