Reclaiming India's Manuscript Heritage: A Global Initiative

International Conference on India’s Manuscript Heritage

1. What is the objective of this international conference on manuscript heritage?

The conference aims to reclaim India’s vast knowledge legacy by focusing on the decipherment, conservation, translation, and digital archiving of ancient manuscripts. It also seeks to strengthen national and international collaboration for sustainable manuscript preservation.

2. When and where will the conference be held?

The event will take place from September 11–13 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, in hybrid mode—allowing both in-person and virtual participation.

3. Why is it being held on September 11?

The date commemorates Swami Vivekananda’s historic address at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago on September 11, 1893, which emphasized India’s spiritual and intellectual heritage.

4. What major outcomes are expected from the event?

Expected key outcomes include:

• Adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on Manuscript Heritage
• Formation of expert working groups on AI-integrated archival practices and ethical custodianship
• Strengthening of long-term institutional linkages between Indian and international manuscript centers

5. Who will participate in the conference?

Over 500 delegates are expected to attend, including 75 eminent scholars, researchers, and cultural custodians from India and abroad.

6. What kind of sessions and topics will be covered?

Thematic sessions will explore:

• Digitisation and metadata standards
• Advanced conservation and restoration techniques
• Palaeographic and linguistic studies
• Ethical integration of manuscript knowledge into modern curricula
• Start-up incubation and digital content development for heritage innovation

7. Are there any additional events planned?

Yes, several side events will be organized, including:

• Rare manuscript exhibitions, featuring collections listed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register
• Workshops, interactive sessions, and cultural performances
• Demonstrations of cutting-edge manuscript preservation and digitisation technologies

8. How will youth be involved in this initiative?

The Manuscript Research Partner (MRP) Programme will engage young scholars through hands-on training, script labs, and digital content development platforms to nurture the next generation of heritage researchers.