The Manipur government has successfully digitized over 587,000 manuscripts, providing valuable insights into the region’s history, culture, science, and literature. This initiative was highlighted by K. Dinamani Singh, the Director of Art & Culture for the Government of Manipur, during a workshop on manuscript conservation held in Imphal on Thursday. The workshop was organized by the National Archives of India (NAI) in collaboration with the Directorate of Art and Culture.
Singh expressed concerns about the numerous manuscripts scattered across the villages of Manipur, many of which remain in need of digitization and preservation. He urged local elders and manuscript custodians to facilitate proper handling and study of Puya manuscripts, warning that failure to treat these documents as valuable academic resources may lead to their loss.
He emphasized the importance of preserving archival materials from the period of Maharaja Pamheiba, known as Gharib Niwaz, whose reign spanned from December 23, 1690, to December 13, 1748. These records, often found on paper, bark, and cloth, are considered irreplaceable. Singh also raised alarms over the risk of losing historical authenticity, citing the experiences of Tibetan and Mongolian histories mostly recorded by outsiders.
During the workshop’s technical sessions, experts shared strategies for preserving manuscripts. P.K. Mishra, a Scientific Officer from NAI, discussed preservation techniques, while archivist Thingnam Sanjeev addressed the role of the Public Records Act and the 2000 Rules in record management. Additionally, Naoroibam Indramani Singh offered insights into traditional methods of preserving Puya texts, and Mutua Bahadur from the Mutua Museum shared knowledge on preserving stone facsimiles.
The event concluded with an interactive session that encouraged discussions on effective methods to protect Manipur’s rich archival heritage.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur/manipur-govt-digitizes-over-5-87-lakh-manuscripts-to-safeguard-archival-heritage.html
Category: Manipur,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-11-20 23:05:00
