What is a Manuscript?
A manuscript is a handwritten document in the form of paper, cloth, palm leaf, metal, or consisting of any other material relating to seventy-five years or more which has aesthetic value and scientific and historical importance. Manuscripts may be in the form of several scripts and languages but do not consist of printed volumes and lithographs. Manuscripts should not be related to different historical records like revenue records, epigraphs on rocks, etc., as they are a direct source of information about past events and processes, whereas manuscripts contain content of knowledge.
What is National Mission For Manuscripts?
The National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) is a government-funded program in India that aims to preserve, document and disseminate the country’s rich manuscript heritage. Established in 2003, the mission works to identify, document, and digitize manuscripts across various languages and scripts, making them accessible to researchers, scholars, and the general public. The NMM also promotes the study and research of manuscripts and organizes exhibitions and workshops to raise awareness about the importance of preserving this cultural heritage. Overall, The National Mission for Manuscripts is an initiative to safeguard, conserve and revitalize the rich manuscript heritage of India.