Rajasthan Pushes Cultural Preservation Drive: Manuscript Survey Under Gyan Bharatam Mission Goes into Mission Mode
State-wide VC review stresses weekly tracking, digital mapping, and outreach to private custodians
ananya
Ananya soch: The Department of Art and Culture, Rajasthan, held a comprehensive review meeting via video conferencing to assess progress under the Gyan Bharatam Mission’s manuscript survey campaign. The session was chaired by Dr. Anuradha Gogiya, Deputy Secretary of the department, with participation from district nodal officers across the state.
The state-wide survey, running from March 16 to June 16, has been placed on “mission mode” to ensure timely and effective execution. The primary objective of this three-month initiative is to conduct a large-scale survey of manuscripts across Rajasthan, covering diverse subjects and historical periods.
During the meeting, Dr. Gogiya reviewed the appointment and deployment status of surveyors in all districts. She emphasized the need for strengthening field-level execution and ensuring accountability at every stage. To enhance monitoring, districts have been instructed to submit weekly progress reports, detailing their work plans and survey outcomes to the headquarters.
A major highlight of the initiative is the digital mapping of manuscript repositories across the state. The department has begun identifying and geo-mapping locations that house ancient texts and scripts. These repositories will be integrated into the Gyan Bharatam digital platform, enabling future digitization and long-term preservation of invaluable cultural resources.
Special attention is also being given to manuscripts held in individual custody. Officials have been directed to engage with private collectors and custodians, encouraging their participation in the survey and digitization process. This collaborative approach aims to ensure that rare and historically significant manuscripts, regardless of ownership, are documented and preserved.
Reaffirming the importance of the mission, Dr. Gogiya stated that Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage is globally recognized, and safeguarding its manuscript legacy is a collective responsibility. “Through this initiative, we aim to ensure that our ancient manuscripts—whether in public institutions or private hands—are preserved and made accessible for future generations,” she noted.
The Gyan Bharatam Mission is expected to significantly strengthen cultural documentation in the state while opening new avenues for research, education, and digital archiving.
