Lok Sabha Question No. 3959 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Digital Preservation and Promotion of Indian Art, Culture and Heritage
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri E T Mohammed Basheer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3959

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

## Digital Preservation and Promotion of Indian Art, Culture and Heritage

## 3959:  SHRI E T MOHAMMED BASHEER:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a)   the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to leverage technology for the digital preservation of ancient  Indian manuscripts, artifacts, monuments and cultural  performances  including  audio-visual  documentation  and  digitization  of archival material;
- (b)   whether  any  national-level  projects  or  partnerships  initiated  with  public  or  private institutions for this purpose, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    the  details  of  the  initiatives  launched  to  promote  Indian  art  and  culture  through digital  platforms,  including  online  exhibitions,  virtual  museums  and  streaming  of cultural festivals and classical performances; and
- (d)   whether the Government has any schemes to integrate Indian cultural education with online  learning  platforms  for  students  and  the  general  public  and  if  so,  the  details along with the progress made thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) & (b): Ministry of Culture and various organizations under it has taken following steps to leverage technology for the digital preservation of ancient Indian manuscript, artifacts, monuments and cultural performances including audio-visual documentation and digitization of archival material:

-  Archaeological  Survey  of  India(ASI)  has  digitally  documented  1,18,359 antiquities  and  artefacts  under  National  Mission  on  Monuments  and Antiquities (NMMA).
-  Under 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' with the core objective of digitization and preservation of Indian manuscripts, 3.50 lakh  Manuscripts  has  been digitized in collaboration with the 37 public or private institutions.
-  Ministry of Culture in technical collaboration with C-DAC, Pune has been using software named 'JATAN' for digitization of museum collections.
-  The Abhilekh Patal is a digital repository curated by the National Archives of  India  (NAI)  which  serves  as  a  gateway  to  India's  historical  legacy, offering a treasure trove of meticulously preserved documents and records.
-  The National Cultural Audio-Visual Archives (NCAA) is a trusted digital repository  for  rare  and  endangered  cultural  audio-visual  recordings  to promote and preserve the Cultural heritage of India.
-  Seven  Zonal  Cultural  Centres  (ZCCs)  across  India  with  headquarters  in Patiala,  Prayagraj,  Kolkata,  Dimapur,  Thanjavur,  Nagpur,  and  Udaipur, conduct  research  &  audio-visual  documentation  for  the  preservation  and promotion  of  visual  and  performing  arts,  encompassing  music,  dance, theatre, literature, and fine arts.
- (c): The Ministry of Culture has launched following initiatives to promote Indian art and culture through digital platforms, including online exhibitions, virtual museums and streaming of cultural festivals and classical performances:
-  The Archaeological Museum at Hampi, Karnataka, has been comprehensively  upgraded  through  the  development  of  an  app-based virtual  museum in partnership with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) under the aegis of the National Culture Fund.
-  The  National Virtual  Library  of  India  (NVLI)  has  been  envisaged  as  the platform for bringing together all cultural information in India and making such information accessible to the citizens through user friendly multilingual  search  interfaces.  It  hosts  data  of  cultural  relevance  from various repositories and institutions across India.
-  In addition, the Ministry regularly  promotes Indian art and culture including  exhibitions,  cultural  festivals,  classical  performances  and  other achievements through various social media platforms.

(d):  Ministry  of  Culture  through its  various  organizations implement following schemes for integration of Indian cultural education with online learning platforms for students and the general public:

- i. Centenaries and Anniversaries Scheme
- ii. Promotion of Guru Shishya Parampara under Kala Sanskriti Vikas Yojana
- iii. Development of Museums
- iv. Development of Libraries
- v. Global Engagement
- vi. National Mission on Manuscripts (Gyan Bharatam Mission)
- vii. National Mission on Cultural Mapping and Roadmap

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