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Gilgit Manuscript Collection a `treasure'

Special Correspondent

National Database of Manuscripts launched

NEW DELHI : Close on the heels of nominating it for inclusion in UNESCO's ``Memory of the World Register,'' India on Wednesday proclaimed the Gilgit Manuscript Collection a `Vijnananidhi' (manuscript treasure). Regarded as among the oldest manuscripts in the world and the oldest collection surviving in India, the Government had nominated it for inclusion in UNESCO's World Register in 2006-07 along with the Rig Veda.

The Gilgit Manuscript Collection — which is in the custody of the National Archives and the S.P.S. Museum in Srinagar — and Chanakya's Arthasastra are among the 45 manuscripts from different collections across the country which were proclaimed `Vijnananidhi' on Wednesday in the presence of Union Tourism & Culture Minister Ambika Soni. She also launched the National Database of Manuscripts at a function organised by the National Manuscripts Mission.

Ms. Soni said awareness must be generated about the need to preserve the voices from the past — recorded in manuscripts — to revive the perennial stream of knowledge for contemporary India. This has assumed particular significance now when India is emerging as a knowledge society and hopes to assume a leadership role in this realm. Dwelling at length on India's wealth in knowledge from times immemorial, she lamented the tendency among modern-day Indians to scorn or be indifferent to all things ancient.

Recalling that India had the largest collection of manuscripts in the world, she said ``today is a momentous occasion when we dedicate to the nation the electronic catalogue of one million Indian manuscripts''; particularly because the compilation of the catalogue of 10 lakh manuscripts is a world record. Christened `Kritisampada,' the online database can be accessed by all.

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