Gyan Bharatam Mission: New Delhi Declaration Upholds Preservation, Dissemination, & Digitization of Indian Manuscript Heritage

The New Delhi declaration was adopted after the first-ever ‘Gyan Bharatam’ International Conference, launched by the Ministry of Culture, was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, from 11th to 13th September, with a mission of “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage.”

This three-day event was graced by over 1,100 participants, like conservation experts, scholars, historians, and custodians of manuscripts. “Not merely relics of the past, but a guiding light for the future,” was stated in the New Delhi declaration that sets three objectives to preserve India’s vast manuscript heritage: digitise, repatriate and disseminate. Additionally, among the New Delhi declaration resolutions, the repatriation of ancient manuscripts is also included. “We resolve to preserve, digitise and disseminate this enormous treasure. We firmly believe manuscripts are not merely relics of the past, but a guiding light for the future,” further states the New Delhi declaration on manuscript heritage. 

“Gyan Bharatam Mission’ is set to become a proclamation of India’s culture, literature and consciousness, said PM Modi, addressing the Gyan Bharatam International in the national capital. 

The declaration further recognised India as the world’s richest land of manuscript traditions, while transforming Gyan Bharatam into a Jan Andolan that bolsters India’s cultural identity globally and growth that’s based on knowledge. Moreover, the Gyan Bharatam mission also emphasises the initiative to preserve over 1 crore manuscripts widespread across India. In strategic efforts to preserve Indian manuscripts, the mission further recognised the need to bring together custodians of manuscripts, like religious institutions, museums, libraries, and universities, to build a progressive space to uphold India’s manuscript heritage.

“Gyan Bharatam will revive India’s manuscript heritage as a living legacy and usher in a cultural renaissance. Manuscripts are not merely relics of the past; they are guiding lights for the future. Until these treasures are put to practical use for the common man, the movement to preserve them will remain incomplete,” said Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. 

Ganjendra Singh Shekhawat further stated that the Ministry of Culture will devise an action plan and a roadmap for India’s manuscript heritage preservation by appointing the eight working groups that will look into planning and executing all dimensions: preservation, digitisation, and dissemination of knowledge. These eight working groups have already presented their ideas to PM Modi, which will later be converted into comprehensive action plans as per the Delhi Declaration mandates. Gyan Bharatam serves as a significant platform for valuing Indian manuscript heritage, but also aims for the digitization of ancient manuscripts to uphold its relevance for generations to come.