Introduction

In a significant step towards preserving India's ancient scientific roots, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) has partnered with Berhampur University in Odisha. This collaboration aims to digitize and catalog thousands of fragile palm-leaf manuscripts. This initiative represents a fusion of antiquity and modern technology, ensuring that centuries-old medical knowledge stored in the South Odisha Cultural Study Centre (SOCSC) is saved from the ravages of time and made accessible to the global scientific community.

Key Facts
Primary Partners

CCRAS (Ministry of Ayush) & Berhampur University

Asset Volume

Over 2,000 Palm-leaf Manuscripts

Tech Lead

NIIMH, Hyderabad

Project Duration

Initial term of 2 Years

Digital Home

AMAR Portal (Global Access)

Official Highlights: Bridging Eras

The Digitization Mission

The National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), a unit of CCRAS, will lead the deployment of advanced imaging technology to scan rare books and periodicals. The primary goal is to create high-quality digital replicas of the university's vast collection, protecting the physical integrity of the brittle original documents.

Creating a Knowledge Database

Beyond simple scanning, the project involves the creation of a "Descriptive Catalogue of Ayurveda Manuscripts." This comprehensive database will utilize 44 distinct data fields, making it easier for modern researchers to query, study, and analyze specific medical conditions or treatments found in the ancient texts.

Global Accessibility

To ensure this knowledge benefits humanity, the metadata and catalogues will be hosted on the AMAR Portal. Selected texts will also undergo rigorous transcription, transliteration, and translation, effectively decoding ancient wisdom for contemporary medical application.

Leadership Perspectives

Prof. (Vaidya) Rabinarayan Acharya (DG, CCRAS): He views this MoU as a crucial component of the national mission to document and validate India’s traditional knowledge systems, preventing the loss of indigenous medical history.

Prof. Geetanjali Das (VC, Berhampur University): She emphasized that this partnership elevates the university's status as a global hub for cultural studies while ensuring the physical safety of their invaluable archives.

Source Information

Original Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Ayush.

Link: Read Official Press Release

Ancient Wisdom Goes Digital: CCRAS and Berhampur University Unite to Preserve Rare Ayurvedic Manuscripts - Image 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the main objective of this MoU?
The primary goal is to digitize, catalogue, and publish over 2,000 rare Ayurvedic manuscripts currently held at Berhampur University to prevent their decay and loss.
Q. Who is executing the technical work?
The National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, which is a peripheral unit of CCRAS, will handle the digitization and cataloging processes.
Q. Where will the digital data be available?
The metadata and catalogs will be hosted on the AMAR Portal, allowing researchers worldwide to access the information.
Q. Will the physical manuscripts be moved?
No. According to the intellectual property protocols, the manuscripts will remain under the custodianship of Berhampur University; only digital copies and translated knowledge will be shared.
Q. When and where is the signing taking place?
The ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2026, at the Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Bhubaneswar.