Three-Day International Conference at Vigyan Bhawan
The Ministry of Culture concluded its first-ever “Gyan Bharatam” International Conference on September 13, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event, held from September 11–13, brought together over 1,100 participants, including scholars, cultural experts, and institutions, making it a landmark gathering to revive and digitise India’s manuscript tradition.
Prime Minister & Culture Minister Address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the conference on September 12, engaging with working groups and guiding deliberations. Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in his valedictory address, described the initiative as a step towards a “cultural renaissance” and stressed the need to connect manuscript preservation with public awareness.
Delhi Declaration Adopted
The highlight of the event was the adoption of the Delhi Declaration (Gyan Bharatam Sankalp Patra), formally read by Additional Secretary Amita Prasad Sarbhai. The declaration resolved to:
- Preserve, digitise, and disseminate India’s manuscript wealth
- Position Bharat as a global hub of manuscript heritage
- Transform Gyan Bharatam into a Jan Andolan (people’s movement)
- Promote every script and language as symbols of unity in diversity
- Repatriate originals or secure digital copies of manuscripts
- Transmit ancient wisdom for education, innovation, and public awareness
The declaration framed manuscript heritage as a cornerstone for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Scholarly Engagement & Gyan Setu Contest
Over three days, eight working groups presented recommendations on preservation and digitisation. The conference also hosted the Gyan Setu Contest, with R. Ramakrishnan (CEO of Inverse AI) winning first place. The Gyan Bharatam logo was unveiled, and the official song was performed by the Meri Zindagi Band.
Youth Participation & Cultural Revival
Organisers highlighted that over 70% of participants were youth, reflecting growing interest in India’s intellectual traditions. Scholars like Prof. Manjul Bhargava (Princeton University) and Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi (IGNCA) called the initiative more than a conference, describing it as a movement to revive manuscripts as a living legacy.
Looking Ahead
The “Gyan Bharatam” Mission will now focus on expanding digitisation, cataloguing, and public access to manuscripts, with a long-term vision of strengthening India’s cultural leadership globally.
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