Digitization will protect heritage, stop intellectual theft, and open the way for a national renaissance
India’s ancient manuscripts are not just words on paper, but the soul of our civilization. They contain priceless treasures of science, medicine, philosophy and art. Neglect and colonial plunder put them at risk. Prime Minister Modi’s call that digitization of manuscripts will prevent “intellectual theft” is timely. Digitization will ensure preservation, research and India’s intellectual identity at the global level. This is not just a cultural project, but a campaign for national renaissance.
India is a country that is identified by its civilization and cultural tradition. The stream of knowledge has been flowing here for thousands of years. From Vedas and Upanishads to Ayurveda, mathematics, astronomy, literature, and music, our manuscripts have given the world something that is unique and incomparable even today. But we have repeatedly failed to secure this heritage systematically and to make it accessible to the world. This is why Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement that digitization of manuscripts will prevent “intellectual theft” is extremely relevant and visionary. This statement does not only point to a technical solution, but is also a resolve to protect our cultural identity.
Indian manuscripts are not just words written on paper or palm leaves. They are the memory of society, the story of traditions and the heritage of knowledge. They contain the entire experience of science, medicine, astronomy, philosophy and art as well as lifestyle. Even today, in the manuscripts of Ayurveda, there is mention of such medicines and treatment methods whose relevance is also accepted by modern medical science. In the manuscripts related to mathematics and astronomy, there is such a detailed description of zero, decimal and the movement of planets and stars that the Western world took inspiration from them and gave direction to its scientific research. Manuscripts of music and dance are the basis for keeping our artistic tradition alive.
Unfortunately, we proved careless in protecting these manuscripts. During the colonial period, the British and other European scholars took away countless texts from here. They studied them and many times published their translations in their own names. The methods of yoga and meditation, which are the soul of India, were presented in a different form abroad and huge commercial profits were made from them. Foreign patents were registered on Ayurvedic prescriptions and medicinal plants. Companies tried to claim their rights even on common knowledge like turmeric and neem. All this is a warning for us that if we do not protect our knowledge, the world will usurp it.
This is the context in which digitization becomes important. When a manuscript is digitized, its source and ownership will remain permanently in the name of India. This will be the most effective means of preventing intellectual theft. Apart from this, digitization will keep the manuscripts safe. Manuscripts written on paper and palm leaves are prone to decay due to time, moisture, insects, and temperature changes. Digitization will keep them safe from generation to generation. The biggest thing is that the digitized material will be available to researchers and students around the world. India’s knowledge will not remain confined to the shelves of museums but will come alive on the global platform.
This is not an easy task. There are an estimated five million manuscripts in India. They are written in different languages and scripts—Sanskrit, Pali, Prakrit, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, and others. Many scripts are now obsolete. Reading, deciphering and digitising them requires expertise. Maintaining authenticity is also a challenge. If errors are made during translation or digital scanning, the original knowledge may get distorted. In addition, such a huge task will require huge financial resources, trained experts and modern technology.
The government has taken initiatives like the National Manuscript Mission, which is a commendable step. But this work should not be limited to government institutions only. Universities, research institutes, private organizations, and technical experts will also have to participate in it. Modern technology will have to be fully utilized. Technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain can not only make digitization easier, but can also make the process of data security and search reliable.
Here we should also learn from global experience. In Europe, millions of documents and artefacts were made available online under the “Europeana” project. The US and Japan also digitised their cultural heritage and shared it globally. These efforts strengthened the intellectual and cultural identity of those countries. If India moves rapidly in this direction, it will not only be able to save its heritage but will also be able to show the world where the real birthplace of knowledge is.
The Prime Minister also remembered Bhupen Hazarika on this occasion. This remembrance is not just a formality but has deep symbolism. Hazarika gave voice to the soul of Assam and India through his songs and music. His works were not just entertainment but a source of cultural consciousness. They tell us that if culture survives, society survives. Just as Hazarika’s works will inspire generations to come, similarly the digitization of manuscripts will immortalize our intellectual memories.
In this context, it must also be understood that digitization is not just a work of preservation. It is a campaign of national renaissance. When we connect our knowledge with modern technology, then we will realize the dream of a self-reliant India, in which both tradition and innovation go together. This will not only strengthen our identity but will also establish us as the true masters of knowledge on the global platform. This will also be a big step towards a knowledge-based economy.
In today’s world, competition is not only about economic resources or military power. Competition is also about who has more original knowledge and intellectual property. If India digitizes its manuscripts and secures their patent and ownership, it can become a leader in this global competition of intellectual property. Apart from this, it will also become a means of connecting our young generation to its roots. The generation that is growing up in the world of the internet and mobile today will get a real introduction to its tradition only when it sees, reads and understands it in digital form.
Manuscripts are not just a burden of the past but a guide to the future. They teach us that knowledge is never static. It needs to be protected, preserved and shared as per the times. If we do not do this, our heritage will remain locked in museums, and the world will be deprived of it. Digitization will act as a bridge that connects the depth of the past with the possibilities of the future.
Undoubtedly, the digitization of manuscripts is a long and difficult task. But it is the same task with which our cultural identity and intellectual self-respect are linked. It is not just a question of protecting books and papers, but a resolve to save our soul and identity. Prime Minister Modi’s statement that digitization will stop “intellectual theft” is the call of the times. Today, there is a need for the government, society, and technical experts to come together and make it a national movement.
Manuscripts are our memory. Their digitisation gives us the confidence that India is not just the land of the past, but also the direction of the future. When we preserve our knowledge and make it accessible to the world with modern technology, India will truly reach the place where it should have been for centuries—a global leader in knowledge.
