Conserve History by Preserving Manuscripts

Conserve History by Preserving Manuscripts

Shivraj Sharma

People must know what a manuscript is. It is a written document or a book in which the writer has recorded his ideas and experiences. We find manuscripts across the world where man has left his ideas and experiences in written forms. We have twenty five percent of the total heritage manuscripts of the world and nearly fifty lakh such manuscripts are preserved in private collections, government departments and museums. The condition of manuscripts is not very good and they are being damaged due to neglect. According to an estimate we have lost about ninety percent of our heritage due to different reasons. There is an urgent need to preserve manuscripts to protect our cultural heritage. Conservation of manuscripts is a specialized scientific field that is being undertaken in a phased manner. Protection and treatment form two parts of conservation science. Protective conservation helps us in proper storage of manuscripts and their proper upkeep. A new technique is being adopted now by using traditional herbal products rather than chemical preparations to conserve manuscripts. Human experiences and various methods for human welfare contained in manuscripts should be brought to the fore. Everything has not been lost as yet and people should come forward to conserve manuscripts that are our national heritage The Language and Culture Department in Himachal is doing good work in conserving manuscripts and it is also the national duty of every citizen to extend his support in conserving national heritage. Writers of old manuscripts might not have attained degrees from universities but they have left their experiences for the service of the society in the form of manuscripts. The current generation is seemingly failing in conservation of these heritage manuscripts