NEW DELHI, July 23: National Archives, the country’s repository of documents, should make efforts to reach out to maximum number of people and persuade them to donate archival material that can be used by scholars for research, Culture Minister Kumari Selja said today.
She also announced that her Ministry will take proactive role in acquiring archival materials for National Archives of India from different government departments and ministries for the benefit of scholars and researchers.
Selja was speaking after inaugurating the refurbished Conference Hall and Committee Room at the National Archives of India (NAI) here.
“NAI should also reach out to the more and more people to persuade them to donate archival material to NAI for research purposes,” she said.
The perception about the National Archives as a closed door institution, Selja said, was gradually changing as the archival material available with it is now accessible to a large number of scholars and researchers.
She said her ministry will support all endeavours of the National Archives in digitisation of archival materials and conservation and preservation of invaluable records with the latest available technology.
“Earlier the common people did not have much access to archival material here but this is changing…Now the material can be taken to the people without much difficulty,” Selja said.
“The records here were earlier kept locked but now they are being digitalised and with the use of technology it is easier to bring them into the public domain. In recent past, a greater number of publications have also been brought out by the National Archives,” she added.
The minister released several books including “Sarojini Naidu: Her way with Words” edited and introduced by Prof Mushirul Hasan, Director General of National Archives and others. (PTI)
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