National Mission for Manuscripts

National Mission for Manuscripts. The National Mission for Manuscripts is a Government of India initiative, launched in 2003, with the objective of conserving and disseminating Indian knowledge, as documented in manuscripts, to Indian Council of Historical Research, Indian National Science Academy, and University Grants Commission. This mission is closely associated with institutions like the Rashtrapati Bhavan, National Archives of India, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. The mission has collaborated with various organizations, including the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and the Indian Institute of Science.

Introduction

The National Mission for Manuscripts was established to locate, document, preserve, and make accessible India's manuscript heritage, which is scattered across the country in various libraries, museums, and private collections, such as the Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Asiatic Society of Bengal, and the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. This initiative has been supported by Ministry of Culture (India), Ministry of Tourism (India), and the Ministry of Human Resource Development (India). The mission has also worked with international organizations like the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Council on Archives. The mission's efforts have been recognized by Indian Council of Social Science Research, Indian Council of Philosophical Research, and the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Objectives and Scope

The primary objectives of the National Mission for Manuscripts are to create a National Manuscript Database, conserve and digitize manuscripts, and promote research and scholarship in the field of Indian studies, including Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada languages, with the help of institutions like the Sanskrit College and University, Tamil University, Andhra University, and the Kannada University. The mission aims to cover manuscripts from all regions of India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab (India), Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, and to collaborate with state governments, such as the Government of Maharashtra, Government of West Bengal, and the Government of Karnataka. The scope of the mission includes manuscripts from various fields, such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha, which are preserved in institutions like the National Institute of Ayurveda, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, and the Central Council for Research in Siddha.

Organization and Governance

The National Mission for Manuscripts is headed by a Director-General, who is assisted by a team of experts from various fields, including manuscriptology, conservation, and digitization, from institutions like the National Museum, New Delhi, Indian Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The mission has a Governing Council, which includes representatives from Ministry of Culture (India), Indian Council of Historical Research, and other organizations, such as the Archaeological Survey of India, National Gallery of Modern Art, and the Sangeet Natak Akademi. The mission also has a Technical Advisory Committee, which provides guidance on matters related to conservation, digitization, and research, with experts from institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

Conservation and Digitization Efforts

The National Mission for Manuscripts has undertaken various conservation and digitization efforts, including the creation of a National Manuscript Conservation Centre, which provides training and expertise in manuscript conservation, with the help of institutions like the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, Intach, and the World Monuments Fund. The mission has also established a Digitization Centre, which uses advanced technology to digitize manuscripts, with the support of organizations like the Google Arts & Culture, Microsoft Research India, and the Tata Consultancy Services. The mission has collaborated with international institutions, such as the British Library, Bibliothèque nationale de France, and the Library of Congress, to learn from their experiences and best practices in manuscript conservation and digitization.

Collections and Holdings

The National Mission for Manuscripts has a vast collection of manuscripts, including palm-leaf manuscripts, paper manuscripts, and birch-bark manuscripts, from various regions of India, such as the Himalayas, Deccan Plateau, and the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The mission has also documented manuscripts from private collections, such as the Birla Family, Tata Family, and the Ambani Family. The collections include manuscripts on various subjects, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, which are preserved in institutions like the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, and the Oriental Research Institute, Tirupati.

Impact and Achievements

The National Mission for Manuscripts has made significant contributions to the field of Indian studies, including the creation of a National Manuscript Database, which provides access to information on manuscripts from all over India, with the help of institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore. The mission has also promoted research and scholarship in the field of manuscript studies, with the support of organizations like the Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The mission's efforts have been recognized by Indian Council of Social Science Research, Indian Council of Philosophical Research, and the Indian Council of Medical Research, and have contributed to the preservation of India's rich cultural heritage, including the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and the Qutub Minar. Category:Indian government initiatives