Panaji: To systematically identify, document, digitise, and scientifically conserve manuscripts across the country, many of which remain scattered in private collections, temples, institutions, and archives, Goa govt has constituted a state-level standing committee that will facilitate the implementation of the national manuscripts survey. With this move, Goa joins other states across the country in operationalising the national initiative.The Goa committee will be responsible for ensuring administrative support, coordination, and monitoring of the survey at both the state and district levels, in line with the operational guidelines issued by the Centre.The committee will be chaired by the chief secretary of Goa and includes officials from departments linked to heritage and culture such as secretary of archives, secretary of art and culture, director of archives, director of museums, director of art and culture and the director of Goa state mission for manuscriptology.The national survey under Gyan Bharatam is designed to locate and catalogue manuscripts for long-term preservation through digitisation and scientific conservation techniques.Chief minister Pramod Sawant announced in the Goa Budget 2025 that to preserve handwritten scripts and digitise them, a special wing would be created in the archives department. Sawant also said that the Goa state mission for manuscripts will be established to use advanced technology to preserve the ancient and historical manuscripts.TOI reported on June 18, 2025, that the department expects to find literary treasures such as correspondence that once passed between neighbouring kings, letters exchanged with freedom fighters, and texts that capture the essence of Goan life through the centuries.
