Preservation and Revival of Ancient Knowledge
The Prime Minister highlighted that India possesses the world’s largest collection of manuscripts, spanning more than 80 languages including Sanskrit, Prakrit, Bengali, Kannada, Kashmiri, Malayalam and Marathi. These texts cover diverse fields from philosophy and medicine to astronomy, mathematics, agriculture and the arts.
“Every manuscript is like a time machine,” Modi said, noting how ancient scholars preserved knowledge on fragile materials such as palm leaves, birch bark and copper plates. Despite centuries of invasions and destruction, millions of manuscripts have survived, serving as testimony to India’s intellectual depth and civilisational resilience.
The Four Pillars of India’s Knowledge Tradition
PM Modi outlined four principles that sustained India’s knowledge system for millennia: preservation, innovation, addition and adaptation. He cited the oral tradition of the Vedas, innovations in Ayurveda and astronomy, continuous contributions to literature such as multiple versions of the Ramayana, and the culture of debates and reform as examples of this living tradition.
Digitisation and Technology Integration
Under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, over 10 lakh manuscripts have already been digitised in collaboration with institutions like the Asiatic Society, Saraswati Mahal Library in Thanjavur, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune, and Patanjali in Haridwar. The Prime Minister urged universities and research institutes to adopt new technologies such as artificial intelligence to study, classify and interpret ancient texts.
“AI cannot replace human talent, but it can be a powerful support system to unlock hidden knowledge,” he said, suggesting that artificial intelligence could help uncover new mathematical theorems or medical insights buried in centuries-old texts.
Global Collaboration and Cultural Diplomacy
PM Modi stressed that India is engaging with countries like Mongolia, Thailand, and Vietnam to digitise shared manuscript traditions. He recalled gifting reprinted volumes of the Mongolian Kanjur and training foreign scholars in preservation techniques. He also underlined the need to protect India’s traditional knowledge from intellectual piracy and ensure it is recognised globally as authentic and original.
Opportunities for Youth and Creative Industries
The Prime Minister called on young Indians to actively participate in the mission. He revealed that nearly 70% of the participants at the conference were youth, describing it as a sign of the initiative’s success. The digitisation project, he said, would not only preserve heritage but also feed into the $2.5 trillion global cultural and creative industry, offering new opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We must convert our heritage into a source of strength for Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he declared, urging academic institutions, researchers and technology developers to work together to make India’s knowledge accessible to the world.
A New Chapter in Cultural Renaissance
PM Modi concluded his address with a call for collective participation in this “mahaabhiyan” (grand campaign). He expressed confidence that Gyan Bharatam Mission would open a new chapter in India’s cultural renaissance, ensuring that ancient wisdom not only survives but thrives in the digital age.
“This is not about glamour or spectacle. This is about strength that lasts for centuries,” he said, wishing the mission and its participants great success.
