New National Manuscripts Mission
The Ministry of Culture established the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) in 2003 during the 10th Five-Year Plan to document, conserve, and promote access to Indian manuscripts. A committee of experts evaluated the scheme, which recommended its continuation with a broader reach and direct oversight by the Ministry. The National Mission for Manuscripts presently functions as a unit under the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, for which funds are provided to the organization. The NMM uses technology, with contributions from IGNCA, to preserve and digitize manuscripts. The digitized manuscripts are uploaded to https://www.pandulipipatala.nic.in.
To address the challenges of manuscript deterioration, NMM employs different preservation methods, such as lamination, restoration, and deacidification. NMM offers training for various aspects of preventive conservation. Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs) and Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs) address regional and thematic collection and conservation gaps.
http://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=2082387
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Here’s some trivia on manuscripts– enjoy!
India’s Rich Manuscript Heritage
- India is home to the largest collection of handwritten manuscripts in the world, estimated at over 5 million manuscripts. These texts in diverse languages, including Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic, Tamil, and more, reflect the country’s rich cultural and historical legacy.
Oldest Manuscripts in India
- The oldest surviving Indian manuscripts include the Bakhshali Manuscript, a mathematical text written on birch bark, dating back to the 3rd or 4th century CE, and the Rigveda manuscripts, which preserve some of the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism.
UNESCO Memory of the World Register
- UNESCO has recognized Rigveda manuscripts under its Memory of the World Programme for their historical and cultural significance.
The Palm Leaf Tradition
- Many Indian manuscripts are written on palm leaves, a common medium for writing before the invention of paper. Writers used special techniques to inscribe and preserve these delicate manuscripts, including oiling them with natural substances.