The changing face of India (2): knowledge management for digital preservation

Abstract

Previously, the authors have indicated how the use of information and communications technology in India has encouraged rural development: the promotion oft digital libraries, e‐business, e‐learning and e‐governance have been effective ways of starting to bridge the digital divide in the sub‐continent. This follow‐up paper outlines traditional collections of significant cultural material in India which, once national information technology and knowledge management strategies are fully achieved, could form part of a digitally preserved national heritage collection.

Making memories available: a framework for preserving rural heritage through community knowledge management (cKM)

“…Instead of this being just a static knowledge repository (as is Cardrona Online Museum) it could be a more sophisticated KM system that integrates with the supply chain, maybe acting as an electronic trading platform for farm stock. Numerous examples of sophisticated systems are in place in rural communities, for example, for agriculture and dairy farming (Rao, 2007), health (Buchanan et al, 1999), business networks (Galloway et al, 2004) and financial tools for rural markets (Nikam et al, 2004a). However, these would likely need wider government backing possibly as part of a national initiative like that in India (Nikam et al, 2004a, b) as well as a quality internet service to businesses and homes (Galloway et al, 2004).…”

Oriental manuscripts in India: a literature survey

“…Kumar and Shah (2004) point out various kinds of manuscripts in the Scindia Oriental Research Institute (SORI), Ujjain. Nikam et al (2004) provide more information about the same institute which has an invaluable collection of 18,000 manuscripts on various subjects and runs a reference library of important oriental publications. Rare manuscripts in Prakrit, Arabic, Persian and other Indian languages cover a wide range of subjects from Vedic literature and philosophy to dance and music.…”

“…Studies of Nikam et al (2004) indicate that the Theosophical Society in Chennai has an invaluable collection of oriental manuscripts both on palm‐leaf and parchment. The authors also notify the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, Tamil Nadu library which is having the collection of rare and ancient palm leaves in a wide range of subjects like Vedanta, Nyaya, Astrology, Mantras and Tantras, amounting to more than 5,000 items in number.…”

“…They have written about manuscript collections in Dr Zakir Hussain Library (Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi), Library of University of Mumbai and Maulana Azad Library (Aligarh Muslim University). Nikam et al (2004) inform us about the University of Mysore, Humphi University and the University of Dharwad as institutions involved in preserving and conservation of the culture of Karnataka. Sarma (1997) apprises us about university libraries of Kerala.…”