The Asiatic Society should take initiative for the preservation and promotion of Indian knowledge tradition.

The Asiatic Society of Mumbai should digitize knowledge and connect libraries and research institutions across the country

Mumbai: The Asiatic Society of Mumbai should take the initiative to preserve, conserve and disseminate India’s knowledge tradition. It should digitize its collection of knowledge and make it available to students, researchers and scholars nationwide, Central Home Minister Amit Shah urged.

He was speaking at the introductory program of the newly elected committee of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai held at Town Hall. Present were Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil, Assembly Speaker (Ad.) Rahul Narvekar, MLA Amit Satam, Praveen Darekar, President of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, Secretary Vivek Ganpule and others. At that time, renowned entrepreneur Ramesh Dandvate contributed Rs 50 lakh for strengthening the Asiatic Society, and his contribution was received with honors by the dignitaries.

Central Home Minister Amit Shah said that preserving the nation’s memory, history, values, language, records and traditions is essential. The identity of a nation that protects its history and cultural heritage never disappears. Indian knowledge tradition has survived despite many challenges. Knowledge should not be confined within any box but should remain free. This knowledge must be used for the welfare of the country and the entire world.

A re‑evaluation of Indian history, archaeology, language, philosophy, literature and science from an Indian perspective is necessary. The Society should encourage students and researchers in Maharashtra to study the collection, digitize the knowledge repository and link libraries and research institutions across the country on a shared platform. It should also actively participate in the ‘Jnan Bharat National Manuscript Mission’ and launch a special campaign to discover, collect, conserve and research rare manuscripts preserved in villages and scholars’ homes, Central Home Minister Amit Shah added.

*The work of the Asiatic Society should become more expansive*

*-Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis*

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis pledged full cooperation of the state government to give the Asiatic Society’s work a broader scope. He said history is not merely a tool to understand the past but a vital link that guides the present and determines the pace of the future. Documenting humanity’s journey, the evolution of thought, methods of study and the development of various sciences is essential. The massive loss of the Nalanda University’s manuscript collection during foreign invasions underscores the importance of preserving knowledge assets. Nevertheless, many scholars have protected the available texts and transmitted this rich knowledge tradition to subsequent generations. Preserving and nurturing this tradition is a great responsibility today, the Chief Minister noted.

The new executive committee’s efforts have given the institution new life, and the Asiatic Society will operate with renewed vigor, the Chief Minister expressed confidence. *A new space for the state central library has been created. A decision has been taken to shift it to this new space. Likewise, the offices of the Library Directorate and the Assistant Stamp Controllers will also be relocated soon, with necessary support from the government.* The government will play a positive role to strengthen the Society’s core activities and ensure that scholars accessing the facility have easy availability of required books, reference material and knowledge resources. Assistance will be provided by the Chief Minister’s office, concerned officials and elected representatives, he affirmed. Chief Minister Fadnavis conveyed heartfelt best wishes to the newly elected executive committee of the Asiatic Society for its onward journey and expressed goodwill for the institution’s future.

*Full governmental cooperation for preserving the Asiatic Society’s heritage*

*-Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde*

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the Asiatic Society has a glorious 222-year heritage. Preserving ancient books, manuscripts and coins is essential for future generations, and under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis the state government will extend full cooperation to the institution for the conservation of this heritage, he affirmed. He also congratulated the organizers of the program held on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi.

*‘Ganesh Gyanarti’ exhibition inaugurated by Central Home Minister Amit Shah*

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the “Ganesh Jnanarati” exhibition at the Asiatic Society of Mumbai.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah opened the exhibition, which was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He inspected the display and learned about the historical and cultural artifacts on show.

The exhibition features approximately 1,300 rare gold, silver, bronze, and copper historical coins from the Mauryan, Satavahana, Gupta, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj eras. A fragment of the bowl of Lord Gautama Buddha, Buddha statues, and relics of Bodhisattva were also displayed. The map of Mughal‑era India from 1788 and the map of the Narmada River from 1870 are additional highlights. Numerous rare historical manuscripts, including a royal court album of Indian kings and landlords, were kept on display. Artifacts from the archaeological excavations at Kolhapur and Kanheri, along with Buddha statues, provided a rich showcase of Indian history, culture, and archaeological heritage.

Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, President of the Asiatic Society of Mumbai, gave the opening address. Secretary Vinay Ganpule expressed his gratitude.