New Delhi has become the center of global attention as a three-day international conference on “Reclaiming India’s Knowledge Legacy Through Manuscript Heritage” commenced at Vigyan Bhawan. This landmark gathering signals the beginning of an ambitious cultural project—Gyan Bharatam—unveiled in the 2025-26 national budget. The initiative aims to unite diverse stakeholders, including institutions, scholars, and private custodians, in building a comprehensive framework for safeguarding India’s manuscript heritage.
The Ministry of Culture has envisioned Gyan Bharatam as an institutional body similar to the Archaeological Survey of India. Its primary mission is to preserve, document, and digitize the vast treasure of manuscripts scattered across the country. More than 10 million manuscripts, housed in universities, libraries, museums, and private collections, are set to undergo conservation and digitization. For this ambitious effort, the government has earmarked $58 million over a six-year period (2024–2031).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the conference on Friday, where he will review reports from several expert working groups. These groups are exploring subjects ranging from decoding ancient scripts such as Indus, Gilgit, and Sankha, to examining how manuscripts can serve as instruments of cultural diplomacy. Legal and ethical frameworks for access and preservation are also part of the agenda.
The conference has attracted over 1,100 participants, making it one of the most significant events on cultural preservation in recent times. A highlight of the closing session will be the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage, with Home Minister Amit Shah serving as the chief guest.
Union Culture Secretary Vivek Aggarwal outlined the long-term vision for Gyan Bharatam. At its core will be a hub-and-spoke model, with the central hub in New Delhi collaborating with regional centers across states. These centers, drawn from public and private institutions with expertise in the field, will work to implement standardized preservation methods. The initiative thus seeks not only to protect manuscripts but also to make them a living resource for research, diplomacy, and education worldwide.
