Why in the News?
The Union Ministry of Culture will formalise partnerships with around 20 institutions under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, a flagship national initiative for manuscript conservation, digitisation, and research.
About Gyan Bharatam Mission:
- Overview: It is a flagship national mission of the Ministry of Culture (GoI) to preserve, digitise, and promote India’s manuscript heritage.
- Launch: Approved as a Central Sector Scheme (2024–2031) with an outlay of ₹482.85 crore.
- Background: Builds upon the National Mission for Manuscripts (2003), which documented over 44 lakh manuscripts.
- Objective: To integrate traditional conservation with modern digital technologies including AI, cloud storage, and blockchain authentication.
- Core Goal: Establish a National Digital Repository (NDR), a unified, globally accessible platform showcasing India’s intellectual and cultural heritage.
- Vision Alignment: Supports Viksit Bharat @2047 and India’s role as a Vishwa Guru in global knowledge preservation.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Scope: Covers identification, conservation, digitisation, translation, and public dissemination.
- Survey & Documentation: Creation of a national manuscript inventory through Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs).
- National Digital Repository (NDR): Uses AI-based Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) for searchable digital access.
- Institutional Network: Implements through Cluster Centres and Independent Centres for nationwide coordination.
- Scientific Conservation: Strengthens Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs) for preventive and curative preservation.
- Funding Structure: 70% upfront release and 30% post-verification based on measurable outcomes.
- Public Engagement: Promotes youth and researcher participation via Gyan-Setu AI Innovation Challenge.
- Quality Assurance: Ensures accountability through third-party audits, utilisation checks, and review mechanisms.
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