The rich cultural heritage of India is reflected in its ancient manuscripts, which are repositories of invaluable knowledge and historical data. Alarming concerns have been raised due to the loss and dispersal of many such manuscripts, some even beyond national borders. The Indian government, in a crucial move, is preparing to tackle this through the National Manuscripts Bill, 2023.
The Details and Objectives of the National Manuscripts Bill, 2023
The main goals of this Bill include documenting and cataloguing Indian heritage texts worldwide, maintaining precise information about them, and laying out conditions for their consultation. The Bill suggests the formation of a 10-member National Manuscripts Authority (NMA), which will be headed by the Culture Minister and will encompass representatives from Culture, Finance, Education departments, along with private agencies.
Role and Powers of the National Manuscripts Authority
The NMA is tasked with the digitalization, conservation, preservation, editing, and publication of these manuscripts. Endowed with civil court powers, the NMA regulates access to manuscripts, investigates manuscript thefts, and supervises their protection against damage or theft. It also has the authority to acquire manuscripts of significant content from private owners, with an expert committee determining the compensation.
Definition and Importance of Manuscripts
Manuscripts are hand-written compositions, crafted on materials like palm leaf, paper, cloth, and bark, often in Sanskrit or regional languages, and dating back to at least 75 years ago. There are estimated to be around 10 million manuscripts in India, penned in 80 ancient scripts, with the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) being responsible for their preservation. One notable example is the Bakhshali manuscript, an ancient mathematical piece explaining the early usage of the zero, dating back to the third or fourth century A.D.
India’s ODOP Wall Initiative
Currently, a partnership between One District One Product (ODOP) and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has led to the launch of the ‘ODOP Wall’. This venture is designed to show off India’s exceptional craft heritage on a global scale. The objective of ODOP Wall is to broadcast the uniqueness of Indian crafts worldwide. It concentrates on promoting one distinct product from every district, encouraging balanced regional growth.
Understanding Centrifugal Force
Centrifugal force is described as an outward force experienced by an object in motion along a curved or circular path. Contrary to gravity or magnetism, it’s not a true force, but a result of inertia- the property of an object to maintain its state of motion. Centrifugal force emerges when an object resists changing its direction while moving in a curve. Its application is vital across various sectors, including pharmaceuticals, dairy, and nuclear energy.
Launch of Vindhyagiri: A Project 17A Frigate
On the 17th of August 2023, the President of India will announce the launch of the Vindhyagiri, a Project 17A Frigate, at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited in Kolkata. The Vindhyagiri, named after the mountain range in Karnataka, is the sixth vessel in the Project 17A Frigate series. These frigates are upgraded versions of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class) with improved stealth features, advanced weaponry, sensors, and platform management systems.
