English - National Mission for Manuscripts

National Mission for ManuscriptsAnnual Report 2010–2011The National Mission for Manuscripts(NMM) is the first consolidatednational level effort in the world forreclaiming inheritance of knowledge contained inthe vast treasure of manuscripts. Manuscripts, whichcontain centuries of accrued knowledge in suchareas as philosophy, sciences, literature, arts andthe pluralistic faith systems of India are more thanjust historical records. They represent the collectivewisdom and experience of generations of thinkers.The NMM was established in 2003 by the Ministryof Tourism and Culture. The major objectives of theNMM are to document, conserve and preserve themanuscripts of India and also to disseminate theknowledge contained therein through digitizationand publication.The NMM functions through different types of centresestablished throughout the country. The number ofcentres (category-wise) are as follows:Manuscript Resource Centres (MRCs) – 54Manuscript Conservation Centres (MCCs) – 49Manuscript Partner Centres (MPCs) – 42Manuscript Conservation Partner Centres(MCPCs) – 300ObjectivesIn suggesting the objectives for the Mission it would be wrong to suppose that the objective forlaunching a National Mission for Manuscripts is merely to locate, enumerate, preserve and describe allthe Indian manuscripts in India and abroad. The objective for undertaking these tasks is to enhancetheir access, improve awareness about cultural inheritance and encourage their use for educationaland research purposes and lifelong learning. The Development Objective can be broken down into thefollowing four sub-objectives:• Objective 1: To facilitate conservation and preservation of manuscripts through training, awarenessand financial support;• Objective 2: To document and catalogue Indian manuscripts, wherever they may be, maintainaccurate and updated information about them and the conditions under which they may beconsulted;• Objective 3: To promote ready access to these manuscripts through publication, both in book formas well as electronic form;• Objective 4: To boost scholarship and research in the study of Indian language andmanuscriptology;• Objective 5: To build up a National Manuscript Library.Page 21, Project Document, National Mission for ManuscriptsNational Mission for Manuscripts | Annual Report 2010–2011