Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Jul 12: A total of 4,756 ancient manuscripts have been digitised in Udupi district, while more than four lac manuscripts have been digitised across Karnataka so far, District Commissioner Swaroopa T K said, urging people to come forward with information on manuscripts in their possession and support the preservation of the state's rich cultural and historical heritage.
She was speaking while chairing a meeting on the Karnataka Jnana Bhandara Manuscripts and Digitisation Act, 2026, held at the Deputy Commissioner's office at Rajathadri, Manipal recently.
The District Commissioner said that under the Jnana Bharatham Mission, a statewide survey and digitisation of ancient manuscripts is already under way. She added that more than one crore manuscripts have been digitised across the country.
"Preserving manuscripts is a vital step towards safeguarding our rich historical and cultural heritage for future generations. People of the district should actively cooperate with this initiative," she said.
Swarupa appealed to universities, mutts, sculptors, astrologers, priests' households, Brahmin families, temples, libraries, ashrams, Jain basadis, Ayurveda scholars and members of the public to upload details of old manuscripts in their possession directly through the Jnana Bharatham app.
She said digitisation would help preserve the wealth of knowledge contained in the manuscripts, including ancient languages and scripts, literary styles, medicinal information, traditional methods of idol carving, and the customs, practices and wisdom of earlier generations, ensuring that this knowledge is passed on to future generations.
The deputy commissioner also stressed the need to create greater public awareness about manuscript digitisation. She urged local bodies in both urban and rural areas to undertake extensive awareness campaigns so that people voluntarily participate in the survey and help make the initiative a success.
Among those present at the meeting were commissioner Mahantesh Hangaragi, assistant director of the Tourism Department Vindhya N M, Dhanalakshmi from the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, District Vishwakarma Carpenter Association president Harish Acharya, Ayush Federation of India district unit president Dr T N Anchan, and Saligrama Zone Brahmin Association president Pattabhi Somayaji.