A delegation from Arunachal Pradesh showcased significant findings on the State’s ancient manuscript traditions at a special workshop organised by the Union Ministry of Culture in New Delhi. 

• The workshop was held as part of the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH 20COM).
• The delegation included Mamta Riba (Secretary, Art and Culture), Lt Col TC Tayum (Nodal Officer, Gyan Bharatam Mission), and Manyu (Assistant Director, Art & Culture). 
• The team highlighted rare and historic manuscripts preserved across Tawang, West Kameng, Shi-Yomi, Upper Siang and Namsai districts.

Key manuscripts and findings

• Lik-Thai manuscripts of Namsai
• Buddhist Kangyur texts preserved in monasteries
• Newly documented indigenous and Buddhist palm-leaf texts
• Manuscripts containing episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, indicating deep cultural linkages
• Detailed documentation of monastic libraries and village repositories
  

Challenges Highlighted

• The team stressed challenges such as ageing material, humid climate, lack of archival laboratories, and absence of digitised cataloguing. 
• The Union Ministry of Culture responded by assuring immediate support and announced:

• A Central expert team will soon begin scientific preservation and documentation
• Establishment of a Manuscript and Digitisation Support Cell dedicated to Arunachal Pradesh
• Support under the nationally relevant Gyan Bharatam Mission

The State government affirmed that these efforts will strengthen long-term conservation and contribute to India’s digital cultural repository.

Exam Hook –Prelims MCQ

Q. Which of the following manuscripts belong to Arunachal Pradesh?

1. Lik-Thai manuscripts
   
2. Kangyur manuscripts
   
3. Tirupati Mahaprasada texts
   

Select the correct answer from the codes given:

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a

Source