(a) whether the Government is aware of the financial crunch faced by different Institutes to preserve
old manuscripts and books in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to protect and preserve the same?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM & CULTURE
(SMT. AMBIKA SONI)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) Manuscripts are kept in various government and private collections across the country, in libraries, museums,
matts, madrasas, temples etc. Most of these institutions, especially the private ones, have very little funds for
preserving manuscripts. Both in terms of infrastructure and skill, these institutions are lagging behind.The general
lack of awareness about manuscripts are also responsible for sufficient funds not flowing in for the preservation of
the manuscripts in the smaller and often unknown collections of manuscripts.
(c) The Government started the National Mission for Manuscripts in February 2003 with the aim of locating,documenting
and preserving the manuscript collections across the country.The Mission has networked with as many as 80 partner
institutions throughout the country as Manuscript Resource Centres and Manuscript Conservation Centres, which are
given financial assistance in documenting the regional manuscript collections, as well as conserving them. Special projects
are being taken up and funded, in association with reputed institutes for conservation of manuscript collections.
Estt. Section
This relates to Lok Sabha Admitted Unstarred Question No.564 by Shri Abu Ayes Mondal for 16.8.2007 regarding
preservation of old manuscripts and books.
On receipt of provisional Question, materials were called for from National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) and National
Archives of India (NAI). These two organizations have since made available necessary materials for answering the
Question as at F/A & F/B respectively.
Based on material made available by NMM, a draft reply to the Question is put up for consideration please.
(A.Murugaiyan) Under Secretary (Estt.) 14.8.2007 DS (PK) - On leave JS(V)