Days after Nehru Archive goes online, Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library launches digital archives

On Sunday, the Ministry of Culture, under whose aegis the PMML operates as an autonomous institution, announced taking “a major step forward in expanding access to its vast archival resources”.

The PMML houses one of the world’s largest collections of rare archival materials, comprising over 25 million documents belonging to more than 1,300 individuals and organisations. These records are regularly consulted by researchers and scholars studying modern and contemporary Indian history.

In fact, a couple of years ago, the PMML announced that it was undertaking a comprehensive digitisation project of its rare archival collection, which includes personal papers, correspondence, speeches, diaries, and newspaper articles. A substantial portion of the frequently accessed material has already been digitised, uploaded, and made available, the ministry said in a statement.
A dedicated IT Platform has been created to facilitate remote access to these digital archives.

Registered scholars may now submit online requests to view specific archival documents without needing to visit the PMML premises. Once approved, the requested materials will be securely made available on the scholar’s desktop for viewing only.

Ashwani Lohani, Director, PMML, stated that this initiative reflected the institution’s unwavering commitment to promoting high-quality research and strengthening the study of modern and contemporary India by enhancing ease of access to archival materials.

Meanwhile, while launching the Nehru Archive, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, a trustee of the JNMF, said its second phase would entail efforts to locate letters to Nehru. “While the Selected Works contain many letters written by Nehru to various eminent personalities, the next phase would entail locating letters written to Nehru,” he said.

The digital archive—aiming to be the authoritative resource on Nehru—also includes the first prime minister’s speeches. The JNMF announced the exercise on November 14, 2024.