The identity of a nation is not defined solely by its territory, political history or economic prosperity; rather, it is rooted in its preserved knowledge, collective memory, and cultural heritage. Manuscripts and ancient texts are among the most authentic and living records of that heritage. Inaugurating a workshop on Manuscriptology noted manuscriptologist and former Director of the National Mission for Manuscripts, Professor Dr. Prafulla Kumar Mishra emphasized that the preservation, study, and research of manuscripts are the responsibility of all.
Presiding over the workshop organized by the Odisha Virtual Academy, Secretary of the Academy, Dr. Pradeep Kumar Rout, stated that the objective of the programme is to promote the identification, survey, preservation, digitization, descriptive cataloguing, editing, publication and research of manuscript resources.
Delivering the keynote address, eminent manuscript scholar Professor Harekrushna Mishra observed that the preservation and advancement of India’s knowledge traditions can be achieved through the proper reading and interpretation of manuscripts. He further stated that the primary aim of the workshop is not merely to provide general information about manuscripts, but to establish manuscript studies as a well-structured academic discipline.
Professor Bibhuti Bhushan Mahapatra, Head of the Department of Sanskrit at Rajadhani College and Course Director of the workshop, informed that the programme covers subjects such as manuscriptology, paleography, codicology, textual decipherment, textual criticism, critical editing, preparation of descriptive catalogues, digital preservation, and research methodology.
On behalf of the Odisha Virtual Academy, Senior Manager Smruti Ranjan Mishra delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was coordinated by Debananda Bhanja, while Srinivas Mishra and other technical experts assisted.
More than 60 teachers, researchers, and students from various universities and colleges across Odisha are participating in this ten-day workshop. Renowned scholars from different fields will conduct technical sessions and provide training throughout the programme.
