Question : Digitisation of Records Related to Freedom Movement

(a) the steps being taken for National Archives'' records related to freedom movement and freedom fighters to be digitized which houses over 18 crore pages, 64,000 volumes and 1.2 lakh maps as a part of the commemoration of 75 years of Independence next year;

(b) if so, the details thereof and progress made, as Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the yearlong series of activities leading up to Independence Day 2022.;

(c) the steps being taken to review the digitization project in general and that of the freedom fighters in particular soon to speed up the work ensuring safety precautions of the records during the proposed demolition of the annexe building as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project, as precaution need to be taken for each and every page/record and if so, the details thereof and progress made, till date in Telangana?

MINISTER OF CULTURE, TOURISM AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b) National Archives of India has already digitized records of Home Political (1907-46) which contains information on Freedom Movement and Freedom Fighters. Also, private papers of prominent freedom fighters like Subhash Chandra Bose, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel have also been digitized. Records have been digitized series wise.

(c) All necessary precautions are being taken up during the digitisations of these records. No decision regarding demolishing the Annexe building of National Archives of India has been taken so far. National Archives of India has no branch office in Telangana.

*****