The 600-year old Voynich Manuscript, long considered an enigma in the world of historical linguistics, has recently been deciphered by Gerard Cheshire, a researcher at University of Bristol. This medieval-era document, written in a language named Voynich, was revealed by Cheshire to be the only known example of proto-Roman language.
The Proto-Roman Language
Proto-Roman language, according to Cheshire’s discovery, was considerably widely used within the Mediterranean region during the medieval times. Despite its popularity, it was rarely used for official or significant documents as Latin held this prestigious role, being the preferential language of the royal court, church and government. Consequently, the proto-Roman language eventually disappeared from the records.
The Voynich Manuscript Origins
Originating from the 15th century, particularly between 1404 and 1438, the Voynich Manuscript is penned on vellum. Vellum is a type of parchment paper derived from the skin of a lamb, goat, or calf. The text is adorned with illustrations, providing visual references to support the written content. The compilation of this manuscript was the work of Dominican nuns who created it as a source of reference for Maria of Castile, then Queen of Aragon, a self-governing community located in Spain.
Introduction to SPARROW
Moving from historical linguistics to modern good governance initiatives, we delve into the tool named SPARROW, an acronym for Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window. This online program is designed to facilitate the writing of Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) digitally.
| SPARROW | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Smart Performance Appraisal Report Recording Online Window |
| Use | Online writing of Annual Performance Appraisal Report (APAR) |
| Audience | Over 46,000 group B and group C officers of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance |
| Effective From | 2016-2017 for Indian Revenue Services (C and CE) officers |
| Impact | Transparency in promotions and posting in government jobs |
SPARROW’s Implementation and Impact
This resourceful online system was initiated for over 46,000 group B and group C officers under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), operating within the Ministry of Finance in its numerous formations scattered across the country. The system for writing APARs in SPARROW for Indian Revenue Services (C and CE) officers had already been implemented from 2016-2017. The implementation of such an online performance assessment system enhances transparency in the promotion and positioning in government jobs, reflecting a significant move towards establishing good governance.
