KOCHI: The state government’s attempt to preserve and conserve heritage records in public archives, comprising manuscripts, palm leaf inscriptions, and historical documents, began on Thursday with a team of officials led by the minister concerned visiting the Ernakulam Regional Archives.
The move, which is the initial step towards the implementation of Kerala Public Records Acts Bill (2023), will also see the procurement of historic documents under private holdings as well.
The committee headed by the Minister for Archaeology and Archives Kadannappalli Ramachandran, seven MLAs, the district collector, additional district magistrate, and the state and regional archives officials visited the Regional Archives Office.
A meeting was convened at the collectorate conference hall where the public opinion and concerns regarding the conservation of heritage records were recorded as part of the initiative.
A similar process will be carried out in the Kozhikode Regional Archives and the Trivandrum Central Archives as well, officials told TNIE.
The Kerala Public Records Acts Bill was presented in the Legislative Assembly on July 11, 2023, and a 16-member select committee was formed to look into the issues concerning the maintenance of public record archives.
“The required technology for the preservation of the records is not readily available with us now. Adequate measures have to be taken to redress the issue. The government site is open for the public to raise their concerns,” said MLA Dr N Jayaraj who is part of the committee.
Experts said that most of the archives in the state are not properly maintained and urgent intervention is needed to ensure their proper upkeep.
Abdul Nazar, a former archivist, said, “The state of age-old records that has to be preserved under the department is in grave danger. A massive number of centuries-old archive materials have been either lost or stolen. It’s been noticed for a long time that important heritage records from the District Heritage Centre, Chalakudy, which have been taken away, have never been returned.”
He said several complaints regarding the same have been filed, but to no avail. “The regional archives had been formed 60 years ago for conservation purpose and several attempts for digitalisation of the records were initiated 16 years ago. But they have not been followed up. Beyond just meetings and discussions, the department has to be adept at acting upon this issue.
What the new committee should look into is to conserve what is left in our hands without any delay. Also, thorough investigations into the department and its activities must be done,” he added.
The regional archives in Ernakulam is home to many historic records dating from the days of the erstwhile Cochin Kingdom and the colonial period.
Along with the aforesaid members, MLAs Ahmed Devarkovil, P Nandakumar, M Rajagopalan, K V Sumesh, E T Taison Master, and P Ubaidulla held a meeting with Director in charge of archives Parvathy S, Director of Archaeology E Dinesan, secretary of law, Superintendent of regional archives Ernakulam, archivist Mini Paul and other officials.
Records in danger
The move will also see the procurement of historic documents under Private holdings as well
A massive number of centuries-old archive materials have been either lost or stolen, says a former archivist
Experts call for urgent intervention to ensure proper upkeep of archives