The Ministry of State for Culture in India recently kicked off an exhibition titled “Hamari Bhasha, Hamari Virasat” under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) at the National Archives of India. This inauguration marked the 75th International Archives Day and aims to pay tribute to India’s linguistic diversity. At a global level, India stands among the four most linguistically diverse countries, boasting nearly 788 languages.
Exploring the Exhibition
The “Hamari Bhasha, Hamari Virasat” exhibition showcases various original manuscripts such as the ancient Gilgit Manuscripts, Tattvartha Sutra, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagwad Gita, to name a few. Among these, the Gilgit Manuscripts is the oldest surviving manuscript collection in India, dating back to the 5th and 6th centuries CE. The National Archives of India have made over 72,000 manuscripts accessible both physically and digitally to people around the world.
International Archives Day: A Celebration of Archives and Archivists
Every year on June 9, since 2008, International Archives Day is celebrated worldwide. The day recognizes the importance and value of archives and archivists. The commemoration corresponds with the date the International Council on Archives (ICA) was set up under UNESCO’s guidance in 1948.
Remembering Birsa Munda: Freedom Fighter and Tribal Leader
On June 9, the Indian Prime Minister paid tributes to Bhagwan Birsa Munda on his death anniversary. Birsa Munda was a famous tribal leader and freedom fighter who founded Birsait, a faith that attracted many tribal followers. He led the “Ulgulan” or “Munda Rebellion” against the British authorities and landlords who exploited tribal lands. Jharkhand, meaning “The Land of Forests,” was officially recognized on Munda’s birth anniversary, November 15, 2000.
Karnataka Government Launches the ‘Shakti’ Scheme
The Karnataka government has recently launched a scheme called ‘Shakti,’ providing women with free travel on non-premium services run by State Road Transport Corporations (RTCs). This move is aimed at encouraging more women to join the workforce. ‘Shakti Smart Cards’ will be issued under the scheme, and women can use any identity card issued by the Central or State government as proof of eligibility for free travel until they receive these cards.
PM-SVANidhi: Empowering Women in Various States
Recent data from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs highlight that women from southern states are taking advantage of the loan scheme for street vendors, PM-SVANidhi, more frequently compared to their northern counterparts. The scheme counts 41% of its total beneficiaries as women. Southern states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka report a majority of women beneficiaries, with percentages ranging from 50% to 70%. Even though northeastern states have a smaller total number of beneficiaries, a high percentage of women are utilizing the scheme.
