India’s ancient manuscripts could disappear before the world even knows they exist — UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme is the last line of defence. Prof. Ramesh Chandra Gaur lays out how India can leverage this global platform for civilizational preservation.Prof. Gaur explains the three-tier UNESCO register system — International, Regional, and National — and walks through India’s successful nominations, including the Abhinavagupta Manuscript Collection and the Arthashastra. He stresses the urgent need for an Indian National Committee to streamline nominations, reveals that over 104 countries have already created national registers, and identifies texts like the Bhagavad Gita and Valmiki Ramayana as prime candidates for joint global nominations. He also flags the fragility of digital heritage and the risks of climate change and conflict. A practical roadmap for scholars, archivists, and policymakers to ensure India’s documentary treasures receive the international recognition and protection they deserve.

About the speaker:
Professor (Dr.) Ramesh Chandra Gaur is a distinguished scholar who serves as Dean, Head (Kala Nidhi Division), and Director (Library & Information) at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi. He is also concurrently the Director of the National School of Drama (NSD).
He is a renowned expert in Digital Library and Preservation; he has over 30 years of experience. He has led significant national projects on cultural heritage digitization and has received numerous awards for his contributions to library science.