The Ministry of Culture is gearing up to introduce the National Manuscripts Bill 2023 during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. This crucial move is aimed at safeguarding and promoting India’s rich manuscript heritage, which is a testament to its diverse historical and cultural legacy. With an estimated 10 million manuscripts in over 80 ancient scripts like Brahmi, Kushan, Gaudi, Lepcha, and Maithili, the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) plays a pivotal role in this endeavor.
What is Manuscript?
A manuscript is a handwritten composition on various materials such as paper, bark, cloth, metal, or palm leaves, dating back at least 75 years, and possessing significant scientific, historical, or aesthetic value. Unlike lithographs and printed volumes, manuscripts offer unique insights into history, languages, and knowledge systems. These documents are found in diverse languages and scripts, often representing a single language through multiple scripts. For instance, Sanskrit can be found written in scripts like Oriya, Grantha, and Devanagari.
The Role of National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM)
The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), an autonomous body under the Culture Ministry, was initiated in 2003 with the mission to identify, document, conserve, and make accessible India’s manuscript heritage. Covering a wide spectrum of themes, languages, calligraphies, and illustrations, NMM stands committed to “conserving the past for the future.” While 75% of the existing manuscripts are in Sanskrit, the remaining 25% are in regional languages. NMM has undertaken digitization efforts, having digitized 3.3 lakh manuscripts with around 3.1 crore folios. However, only 70,000 manuscripts are currently accessible online for public use.
About National Manuscripts Bill 2023
The National Manuscripts Bill 2023 is poised to establish a comprehensive framework for the preservation and utilization of India’s manuscript heritage. The key objectives of the bill are:
- Documentation and Cataloging: The bill aims to document and catalog Indian heritage texts, whether they are located in India or abroad, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information about them.
- Access and Consultation: The bill defines the conditions under which manuscripts may be accessed and consulted, ensuring responsible and informed use.
- Formation of National Manuscripts Authority (NMA): The bill envisages the establishment of a 10-member NMA, chaired by the Union Minister of Culture. This apex body will oversee digitization, conservation, preservation, editing, and publication of manuscripts.
- Powers of NMA: The NMA will possess the powers of a civil court, regulating access allocation, investigating thefts and desecration of texts, and preventing damage or loss of manuscripts.
- Promotion of Manuscript Studies: The NMA can collaborate with educational institutions to provide fellowships and scholarships for manuscript studies.
- Dedicated Digital Portal: The NMA will create a specialized digital portal for indexing, cataloging, uploading, and downloading manuscript copies.
Significance
The National Manuscripts Bill 2023 holds profound significance in several dimensions:
- Cultural Revival: By linking manuscript studies with livelihoods, the bill aims to reintegrate ancient manuscripts into the socio-cultural fabric, reviving their importance.
- Global Interest: Surveying and documenting Indian manuscripts abroad will spark heightened global interest in India’s intellectual and cultural heritage, fostering cross-cultural exchanges.
- Preservation and Accessibility: The bill’s emphasis on digitization and accessibility ensures the preservation of manuscripts while democratizing access to a broader audience.
- Holistic Approach: Through the NMA’s multifaceted responsibilities, the bill ensures a holistic approach to manuscript conservation, from digitization to investigation.
UPSC Mains Questions
- What challenges might the National Manuscripts Authority (NMA) face in regulating access and investigating thefts in an increasingly digital landscape?
- How could the bill’s promotion of manuscript studies contribute to educational and cultural growth in India?