Karnataka - Gulbarga   

Preserve evidences of past: Chaturvedi

Special Correspondent

Three-day `19th History Conference' of Karnataka History Academy begins at Sedam

PONDERING OVER THE PAST: Governor T.N. Chaturvedi having a word with the former Union Minister Basanagouda Patil Yatnal (centre) and the former MP Basavaraj Patil Sedam during the inauguration of the `19th History Conference' of the Karnataka History Academy at Sedam in Gulbarga district on Sunday.

GULBARGA: Governor T.N. Chaturvedi on Sunday stressed the need for involving the common man in the protection of monuments and manuscripts that reflect the rich historical past.

Speaking after inaugurating a three-day "19th History Conference" of the Karnataka History Academy at Sedam in the district, Mr. Chaturvedi said there is a wide gap between intellectuals and society. This gap has to be bridged immediately to preserve the evidences of historical past of the great civilisation of India.

Lauding the efforts of the academy in bringing to light the history of the State in the right perspective, the Governor said holding such history conferences regularly will help in bridging this gap.

Heritage

Archaeological heritage of the country in the form of historical monuments, temples, and domes should be protected. A lot of treasure in the form of priceless monuments has been lost because of the ignorance of the people. Whatever is left should be properly protected, Mr. Chaturvedi said.

Appreciating the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State Archaeological Department for their efforts in protecting ancient monuments, Mr. Chaturvedi urged them to lend their expertise to the academy to preserve monuments and document manuscripts. He said that there is a need to create awareness among the people on being part of the academy's activities. History reflects the wholesomeness of society, its life, and its people, he added. Referring to the importance of manuscripts, Mr. Chaturvedi said the Ministry of Culture has taken up a project to preserve and document manuscripts available with government agencies and private parties through a national commission constituted recently. This will go a long way in protecting manuscripts and their documentation.

Mr. Chaturvedi said that as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Patent Law he came to know the importance of manuscripts during discussions with other members in the light of Patent Law. He said ancient manuscripts provide details on medicinal values of items such as neem and turmeric, and their proper documentation will help the country in putting forward its arguments before the World Trade Organisation (WTO) against patenting of such items by foreign companies.

According to proposals of the Ministry of Culture, manuscripts in the possession of individuals will be returned to them after documentation, the Governor said.

Documentation

He urged such individuals to cooperate with the commission and enable it to document the manuscripts in their possession.

Mr. Chaturvedi said the academy should widen its scope of functioning and involve students in its activities to project and protect history in a proper manner.

He said that the academy is giving more importance to research and this activity should be further expanded. Research helps in removing discrepancies that have crept in projecting history in a proper way as it is nothing but a pursuit of truth and quest for truth about the people and the region, he added.

Historians from different parts of the country are participating in the conference.

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