Union Culture Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Monday laid the foundation stone for India’s digital National Museum of Epigraphy at the Salar Jung Museum. Spearheaded by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), this museum will house approximately one lakh ancient writings spanning various times and languages.
This initiative follows the announcement made last year by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman regarding the establishment of the Bharat Shared Repository of Inscriptions (BharatSHRI), with the goal of digitizing one lakh ancient inscriptions.
During the ceremony, Reddy hailed the development as a significant step forward in the Modi government’s commitment to “Vikas Bhi Virasat Bhi” (Development and Heritage). He emphasized the administration’s dedication to utilizing technology to ensure universal access to art and heritage.
Reddy highlighted the transformative potential of the digital museum, portraying it as an invaluable resource that will unlock a treasure trove of knowledge for scholars and researchers. He expressed confidence that the museum would play a pivotal role in preserving and promoting India’s rich cultural heritage.