GS 1 – Art and Culture
Context
The first Gyan Bharatam International Conference on ‘Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy through Manuscript Heritage’ launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission under the Ministry of Culture. The initiative seeks to digitise, preserve, and promote India’s vast manuscript heritage.
Key Features
- Conservation
- Survey, document, and conserve over 1 crore manuscripts housed in academic institutions, museums, libraries, and private collections.
- Digital Repository
- Establish a National Digital Repository of Indian Knowledge Systems for global access.
- Public Engagement
- Partner programmes to involve citizens.
- Launch of the Gyan-Setu AI Challenge to promote innovative solutions for manuscript digitisation and use.
Significance
- Constitutional Duty:
- Supports Article 51A(f) – fundamental duty of citizens to preserve the rich heritage of India’s composite culture.
- Educational Integration:
- Aligns with NEP 2020, which integrates Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) into curricula.
- Cultural Diplomacy:
- Strengthens international collaborations for digitisation and standardisation.
- Revives manuscripts as living resources for education, research, innovation, and diplomacy.