Digitising manuscripts will help curb intellectual piracy, says Modi

“From mathematics to computer science, the foundation of modern knowledge rests on contributions like the concept of zero discovered in India. Every country treasures its historical artefacts as symbols of civilization. India, with its vast manuscript collection, holds an unparalleled civilisational treasure, a source of pride for the nation,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the ancient manuscripts reflect the uninterrupted flow of India’s intellectual and cultural legacy.

“These manuscripts are letters declaring our unity in diversity, as they exist in nearly 80 languages, encompassing an infinite ocean of knowledge in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi,” he said.

The PM said  manuscripts that have the footprint of the progress path of entire mankind and reflect humanity’s journey, encompassing philosophy, science, medicine, metaphysics, art, astronomy and architecture.

“The Gilgit Manuscript, for instance, provides an authentic history of Kashmir. All these manuscripts have the footprint of the progress path of the entire mankind. Indian manuscripts reflect humanity’s journey, encompassing philosophy, science, medicine, metaphysics, art, astronomy, and architecture,” he said.

The Prime Minister spoke about the government’s plans to collaborate with universities in Thailand and Vietnam for training scholars to decipher manuscripts in Pali, Lanna, and Cham languages. “Some traditional knowledge has been copied and patented abroad. Digitising manuscripts will curb intellectual piracy and ensure the world accesses authentic sources,” he said.

With the `400-crore Gyan Bharatam project, the government is aiming to create an institution on the lines of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the preservation and interpretation of India’s manuscripts. “What ASI is for monuments, Gyan Bharatam will be for manuscripts,” Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal told reporters in New Delhi ahead of the launch of the conference.

The three-day event is being attended by around 1,100 participants, including conservation experts, scholars, historians, academics and custodians of manuscripts.

Eight working groups will deliberate on issues such as decipherment of ancient scripts such as Indus, Gilgit and Shankha; survey and documentation; digitisation tools; conservation and restoration; decoding manuscripts; and explore legal and ethical issues regarding access.

Home Minister Amit Shah will chair the valedictory session on September 13, where a Delhi Declaration will be adopted to forge an alliance of all custodians of manuscripts across the country, for access, conservation and digitisation, officials said.

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