- Conservation of 250-year-old rare manuscripts in Sakraboga village of Raigarh, online entry made on Gyan Bharatam portal
- Cultural heritage being preserved in rural areas by joining the National Manuscript Conservation Campaign
- Awareness increased regarding conservation of Odia language manuscripts related to religious texts including Ramayana, Bhagavad Gita
The positive impact of special campaigns launched by the central and state governments to preserve India’s ancient knowledge tradition and cultural heritage is now visible even in rural areas. In the village of Sakraboga, in the Dharamjaigarh area of Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, an important initiative has been undertaken to preserve rare palm leaf manuscripts and digitally preserve them. This initiative not only serves to protect our historical heritage but also serves as a significant step towards connecting future generations with the Indian knowledge tradition.
During a survey and study conducted by National Service Scheme (NSS) Program Officer Dr. K.K. Gupta in the village of Sakraboga, Post Banora, as part of the Manuscript Conservation Campaign, several ancient palm leaf manuscripts were identified. Villager Pramod Sa possessed 20 palm leaves, Bairagi Gupta possessed one palm leaf, and Thakurdutt Gupta possessed one palm leaf. All these manuscripts are written in Odia and contain valuable material related to the Ramayana, the Bhagavad Gita, and other religious and spiritual texts.
According to information received, villager Pramod Sa explained that the manuscripts he has preserved are approximately 200 to 250 years old. These rare palm leaves have been preserved by the family for generations. These manuscripts, preserved for years in rural settings, remain a living example of Indian culture, spirituality, and traditional knowledge.
Under the guidance of senior officials, Dr. K.K. Gupta has registered information about these manuscripts online on the Government of India’s “Gyan Bharatam Portal.” This portal has emerged as an important medium for the digitization, preservation, and documentation of ancient manuscripts available across the country. Through this portal, digital records of rare manuscripts are being created for future research, study, and conservation.
Photos and videos were also captured during the geotagging of the manuscripts, which were shared on social media platforms. The aim is to raise awareness among the public, especially the youth, about the importance of preserving their cultural heritage. Through social media, the message is being conveyed that the old manuscripts preserved in villages and homes for years are not just religious materials, but also the country’s historical and intellectual heritage.
It is noteworthy that the Government of India, through the Ministry of Culture and the National Manuscript Mission, is running a special campaign to preserve, digitize, and catalog manuscripts across the country. The objective of this campaign is to preserve rare documents related to India’s ancient knowledge tradition, literature, philosophy, science, Ayurveda, astrology, religion, and culture. Awareness programs, surveys, and digitization efforts are being continuously conducted in various states, including Chhattisgarh.
Experts believe that thousands of rare manuscripts remain privately preserved in rural areas, and their identification and documentation are crucial. The manuscripts found in Sakraboga village are proof that India’s cultural roots are still alive in the villages, and if they are preserved in time, future generations will be able to better understand their glorious heritage.
Dr. K.K. Gupta explained that the aim of the Manuscript Conservation Campaign is not only to preserve documents, but also to develop a sense of respect and responsibility for our cultural heritage among the people. He said that if society and the administration work together in this direction, the country’s invaluable knowledge wealth can be preserved for a long time.