Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) April 6: The Government of India has initiated a nationwide effort to preserve historical records through the Gyan Bharatam Mission, with the Ministry of Culture leading a comprehensive programme to survey, document, conserve, digitise, and make accessible manuscripts across institutions and private collections.
As part of this initiative, the Art and Culture Department has launched a Union Territory-wide drive to identify and preserve archival materials across all three districts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The programme aims to connect younger generations with historical knowledge while ensuring that rare documents are safeguarded for future access.
Officials have called on residents, institutions, scholars, and collectors to contribute by sharing manuscripts, rare books, maps, photographs, and other archival records. These materials will be documented and digitised through the Gyan Bharatam Survey App, enabling wider accessibility for research and preservation.
The department has urged the public to provide information about historical materials held in private or institutional collections and assist in identifying records of significance. Authorities have assured that necessary expertise will be extended for the preservation, documentation, and digitisation of such materials. Contributors will be acknowledged, while ownership of original documents will remain unchanged, with only digital copies retained for archival purposes.
Submissions can be made directly to the department’s office located at the Cellular Jail complex, or through designated contact channels, including phone and email. The initiative seeks active public participation to build a comprehensive archival repository reflecting the region’s historical trajectory.
The islands hold a distinct place in India’s cultural and historical landscape, shaped by indigenous traditions, colonial history, and post-independence development. Archival materials such as personal diaries, letters, administrative records, photographs, and audio-visual content are considered critical sources for understanding the socio-cultural evolution of the region.
Officials highlighted that many such records remain scattered across households, institutions, and organisations, making their documentation essential for preserving knowledge related to migration patterns, indigenous communities, and the freedom struggle.
The mission emphasises the importance of safeguarding manuscripts and rare records as part of the country’s intellectual and cultural heritage. Authorities noted that preserving these materials is a shared responsibility and requires collective effort from the public and institutions alike.
The initiative is expected to strengthen archival preservation efforts in the islands while contributing to the broader national objective of conserving historical knowledge through digitisation and structured documentation.
