Introduction to Cultural Heritage Preservation
The government is taking significant steps to preserve India’s wealthy cultural heritage, leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). In a recent statement to the Lok Sabha, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted the federal government’s efforts to advertise the usage of these technologies in preserving cultural heritage, digitizing museums, and disseminating cultural knowledge.
Digitization of Museums and Cultural Heritage
The Ministry of Culture has adopted modern digital technologies corresponding to AR-VR, projections, and digital kiosks to reinforce the visitor experience in various museums. The government has also launched initiatives just like the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) and the Museum Digitization initiative to preserve and showcase India’s cultural heritage. Additionally, a software named ‘JATAN’ is getting used to digitize artifacts in national-level museums, with eight renowned museums and two ASI museums already digitized.
Empowering Marginalized Artisans
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched the ‘TULIP’ initiative to empower marginalized artisans by providing them with a platform for global exposure and sale of their products through e-marketing. This initiative goals to advertise the economic empowerment of artisans and preserve traditional crafts.
Archaeological Excavations and Conservation
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is chargeable for maintaining and conserving archaeological sites and monuments across the country. The government has provided adequate funds and resources to the ASI for archaeological excavations and conservation work in Nalanda, Bihar. A team of experienced archaeologists, draftsmen, surveyors, and cinematographers is working on the project, which has also involved local communities within the excavation and conservation process.
Protection of Endangered Languages
The Ministry of Education, through the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), is working on the protection, preservation, and documentation of endangered languages spoken by lower than 10,000 people. Under the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages of India (SPPEL), 117 endangered languages have been identified for study and documentation, including Lamongse, Bhunjia, Kagate, and Nihali.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the federal government is taking significant steps to preserve India’s cultural heritage, leveraging advanced technologies and initiatives to advertise cultural dissemination, empower marginalized artisans, and conserve archaeological sites and monuments. The protection of endangered languages can be a key area of focus, with efforts underway to document and preserve languages spoken by lower than 10,000 people. These initiatives display the federal government’s commitment to preserving India’s wealthy cultural heritage for future generations.
