DIGITISE TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE-BASE
ON HIGH PRIORITY, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE: DR.
JOSHI
Minister for Human Resource Development,
Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi today suggested that Ministries dealing
with culture, information technology, science & technology,
health and media join hands to create a system to digitalise all
forms of traditional knowledge for their proper preservation and
use. This could be on the lines of or by expanding the Traditional
Knowledge Digital Library [TKDL] recently set up in the area of
traditional medicine, by the Health and Science & Technology
Ministries, he said. Dr Joshi cautioned that if this is not done
in time and exhaustively, the enormous cultural heritage of India
would be lost to forces of crass commercialisation.
Dr. Joshi was interacting with top
representatives of a number of central Ministries, organisations
and prominent individuals dealing with education, science &
technology, social sciences, culture and media at the meeting
of the Indian National Commission for Cooperation with UNESCO.
The Minister shared the concern of
experts about the loss to performing artistes because of piracy
and remixing of old music with freshly recorded video. He added
that such threats to intangible heritage, traditional knowledge
and cultural diversity would keep rising due to commercialisation
and also the impact of globalisation and new technology. He emphasised
that instead of depending on the advanced world, India must evolve
its own mechanisms to deal with them. He informed that a large
number of ancient scripts have been digitised in the last few
years and this work would be completed on a high priority so that
the knowledge is not grabbed, monopolised and exploited by a select
few.
The Minister also agreed in principle
to share the vast library resources presently available with the
four regional centres of the University Grants Commission [UGC],
and the IIITs, IITs and NITs, with public libraries and PIB offices.
He desired that a suitable mechanism be evolved for this so that
people could make use of this vast digitised library network.
CEO of the Prasar Bharti informed
that the public broadcaster would start paying royalty to authors,
composers and publishers contributing to it, from October 2 this
year. He also informed that in the last two years, all AIR archives
have been digitised and a number of CDs have been brought out
incorporating the archival material.
It was also informed that in about
six months, the exclusive educational satellite, EDUSAT, would
be in place. This would not only help spread of quality education
in India, it would also enable the country to share its knowledge-base
with the neighbouring countries.
Responding to suggestions that India
should take a lead role internationally in matters relating to
education and culture, Dr. Joshi said, India is always willing
to share its knowledge and heritage for welfare of the humanity,
and has been highlighting concerns in the international fora on
issues relating to human advancement, such as values in education,
sustainable consumption, and ethics in science research. India
is currently engaged in global discussions on climate change and
getting support for research in biotechnology.
The four Sub-Commissions, on education,
culture, science & technology and communication, presented
their reports, which were discussed in the meeting. The Sub-Commissions
have generally sought UNESCO’s help in capacity building in different
areas. Members of the Commission showed concern at the low priority
given to the South Asian region by UNESCO. The meeting was informed
that the recently held Dialogue Among Civilisations Conference
in New Delhi, and the steps taken by India towards spread of literacy
have been appreciated by UNESCO.
The meeting was also attended by
Minister of State for HRD, Dr. Vallabh Bhai Kathiria.
