India to Host Global Conference on Manuscript Heritage This September

Rapid Summary

• India will host its first-ever international Manuscript Heritage Conference from September 11-13,in New Delhi.
• The conference, titled “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage,” marks the launch of the Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM).
• It commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago address on September 11, 1893, symbolizing India’s intellectual and spiritual global vision.
• the Gyan Bharatam Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26 to preserve, digitize, and disseminate India’s manuscript heritage while integrating it with modern technologies.
• Exhibits include indian Manuscripts and Script Heritage collections, manuscripts inscribed in UNESCO Memory of the World Register, live demonstrations of conservation tools, hands-on workshops, and a dedicated space for startups in this domain.
• Scholars are invited to submit research papers on various themes such as manuscript conservation/restoration strategies and digitization tools like AI protocols.
• India holds an estimated 10 million ancient manuscripts across disciplines like science, medicine, philosophy, arts & literature.

Indian Opinion Analysis

India’s wealth of manuscript heritage is unparalleled globally but has long required systematic efforts for preservation. hosting this conference reflects both cultural pride and an ambition to position itself as a knowledge center at a global level. the timing aligns symbolically with Swami Vivekananda’s much-revered Chicago speech emphasizing spirituality intertwined with intellectual power.

The emphasis on modern technologies such as AI-based digitization highlights pragmatic initiatives for making ancient manuscripts accessible worldwide. Such steps could strengthen academic collaborations while fostering innovative industries around cultural preservation. However well-intentioned these steps seem; their effectiveness relies heavily on how thoroughly implementation matches ambitions outlined under GBM.

This initiative serves as another example of India reconciling its rich legacy with contemporary relevance-a critical move given that preserving history often translates into soft power advantages globally while nurturing domestic identity cohesively over generations.

Read more: https://www.thehindu.com