Jaisalmer, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, informed that out of over one crore rare manuscripts identified across the country, more than 2.5 lakh have already been uploaded to the digital portal. He added that this number will rise to 10 lakh in the coming months.

Speaking to the media during his visit to Jaisalmer, Mr. Shekhawat said that all these manuscripts will be preserved in computer-readable formats using Artificial Intelligence (AI), ensuring that India’s ancient Vedic, philosophical, scientific, and cultural heritage remains safeguarded for future generations.

The Union Minister further explained that during the British era, thousands of precious manuscripts were stolen and sent abroad, while many of the remaining ones continue to deteriorate with time. He described the digitization drive not merely as a technological project but as a national mission for cultural preservation. He added that the initiative involves collaboration with national and international experts, research institutions, and universities. Heritage collections from organizations already active in this field are also being integrated into a unified repository.

‘Kashi Culture Pathway’ Model Gains Global Attention

When asked about his recent visit to France, Mr. Shekhawat said that the international conference was convened to discuss a development goal related to cultural and traditional arts, attended by culture ministers from 165 countries. During the conference, India’s ‘Kashi Culture Pathway’ model — first introduced under the G-20 presidency — became a key topic of discussion. Through this model, India showcased how cultural heritage, traditional crafts, indigenous knowledge, and artistic expressions can be harmoniously blended with modern development.

Center and State Committed to Rajasthan’s Development

After attending the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee meeting, Mr. Shekhawat said that detailed feedback was obtained regarding the implementation progress of central and state government schemes. He issued clear directions to concerned officers to ensure timely execution. The Minister reaffirmed that both the central and Rajasthan governments are fully committed to the state’s development. The core objective of the double-engine government, he said, is to ensure that every welfare scheme reaches its intended beneficiaries promptly — a goal that remains the topmost priority of both governments.

Review of Development Schemes

During the review meeting held at the DRDA auditorium in the Collectorate premises, Mr. Shekhawat conducted a detailed assessment of various central government projects, schemes, campaigns, and community development programs underway in Jaisalmer district. He instructed officials to expedite the pace of development work.

The meeting was attended by Pokaran MLA Mahant Pratap Puri, Jaisalmer MLA Chhotu Singh, District Collector Pratap Singh Rathore, District Chief Pratap Singh Solanki, officials from concerned departments, and several public representatives.

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