The digitisation of books on Mahatma Gandhi is in progress at Gandhi Bhavan in Bengaluru.
ECNETNews reports that a significant milestone has been achieved in the preservation of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, as a non-profit organization has successfully digitized approximately 12,000 books from the Gandhi Bhavan library in Bengaluru. The digital archives will be presented to heads of Gandhi Bhavans nationwide during the upcoming two-day seminar titled ‘Mahatma Gandhi for the 21st Century’ set to take place this weekend in Bengaluru.
The seminar will commence with an inaugural address by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with Minister H.K. Patil scheduled to deliver remarks during the closing session. Esteemed Gandhians from across the nation and abroad will engage in discussions during this enlightening event.
Digital Treasure Trove
H.L. Omshivaprakash, a digital archivist, revealed that this expansive digital library features not only volumes of Mahatma Gandhi’s collected works but also important resources such as Harijan, Young India, Indian Opinion, and Nava Jeevan Trust pamphlets. The collection is further enriched by 129 audio recordings of Gandhi speaking on All-India Radio and covers works in 12 different languages. The Gandhi Bhavan has already released 1,272 works into the public domain, making them accessible for all.
What sets this initiative apart is its emphasis on making digitized data easily accessible and searchable, enhancing the user experience. This comprehensive digital repository was developed through a partnership between the Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi and the organization, with additional support from other state Gandhi Smaraka Nidhis.
The initiative’s global impact is underscored by the words of a leading open data activist, who emphasized the importance of adapting libraries to modern technologies to ensure their preservation and accessibility for future generations.
SoK has digitized over 100,000 books and titles, including many in Indian languages, reaching around 500 million views of these digitized materials.
Empowering Knowledge Sharing
The organization has also introduced the Servants of Knowledge Academy, offering free training sessions on topics such as copyright laws, open source technologies, and library management. This initiative aims to equip librarians and interested individuals with essential skills, having already trained over 200 participants through four successful seminars.
Upcoming seminars include a focused discussion on the architecture of public libraries in India, set for October in New Delhi, in collaboration with a prominent cultural organization.
Moreover, the digitization efforts have expanded to various institutions including the National Law School of India University library, with ongoing projects at other notable universities and libraries throughout India.
Future discussions are underway for projects involving libraries in Assam, IIT Madras, and other historical and archaeological institutions.
