Bihar identifies over 8 lakh manuscripts as govt steps up digitisation under Gyan Bharatam Mission
The Bihar government has stepped up the digitisation and preservation of manuscripts under the Centre's Gyan Bharatam Mission, with more than eight lakh manuscripts identified across all 38 districts of the state, a minister said on Wednesday.
The nationwide mission aims to digitise and preserve ancient texts. In Bihar, the government is focusing on documenting rare palm-leaf and paper manuscripts held in libraries, museums and private collections.
"An administrative approval for expenditure of Rs 6.23 crore was granted earlier this year to accelerate conservation and digitisation of manuscripts. More than eight lakh manuscripts have been identified across 38 districts of the state following an extensive survey," Bihar Art and Culture Minister Pramod Kumar Chandravansi told reporters.
Department secretary Pranav Kumar said the exercise involves several stages, including identification, digitisation and preparation of metadata.
Manuscripts found to be torn, fragile or decaying are being treated before being scanned and uploaded to a digital repository, he said.
The secretary said the repository would eventually allow people in India and abroad to access the manuscripts. AI tools will also be used to transliterate scripts such as Brahmi and Kaithi into Hindi and English and prepare concise summaries of the texts.
The government also announced plans to open a National School of Drama (NSD) campus in Bihar. Pranav Kumar said a site within a 20-25 km radius of Patna was being considered, subject to land availability and other requirements.
Chandravansi also said a dedicated film portal had been created to provide information and services related to filmmaking in the state. So far, 862 film artists, 148 producers and 29 service providers have registered on the portal, according to a departmental statement.
The Bihar Film Promotion Policy is also being implemented, with shooting permissions granted to more than 59 projects, including 46 feature films, two web series and 11 documentaries.
The policy provides tiered subsidies of up to Rs 4 crore depending on the language and nature of a project. Local languages and themes are eligible for higher subsidies of up to 50 per cent, the secretary said.
The minister said 411 artists had been identified under the Mukhyamantri Kalakar Pension Yojna, under which eligible artists receive Rs 3,000 a month.
Scholarships and grants are also being provided to meritorious young people and selected institutions to promote art and culture in the state.
