UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register

Context: The inclusion of the Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sahṛdayāloka-Locana in UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register marks a significant milestone for India. This recognition celebrates India's profound literary heritage and cultural legacy, underscoring its global importance.

IGNCA secures historic cultural milestone: 

• The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) played a pivotal role in achieving a landmark moment during the 10th meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP).
• The meeting of MOWCAP was held in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), which brought together 38 representatives from member states along with 40 observers and nominees.
• IGNCA advocated for three Indian nominations, resulting in their inclusion in ‘UNESCO's Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register’.
• This achievement highlights IGNCA's steadfast commitment to preserving and promoting India's rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
• Notably, this is IGNCA's inaugural submission to the Regional Register since its establishment in 2008. 

• The Illustrated Manuscripts of Ramacaritamanasa, commonly known as 'Ramcharitmanas', was created by Goswami Tulsidasa in the 16th century in the Awadhi language. This monumental work is regarded as one of the foremost achievements in Hindu literature, drawing its inspiration from the epic Ramayana authored by the sage Valmiki.

• The 15th Century Manuscript of the Panchatantra, authored by Pandit Vishnu Sharma, is a collection of animal fables presented in both poetry and prose. Dating back to at least the 3rd century BCE, this ancient compilation originally written in Sanskrit aims to impart practical life lessons, known as Niti, through the interactions of anthropomorphized animals.

• The Sahṛdayaloka-Locana manuscript, an important text in Indian poetics, dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries AD. Authored by Acharya Anandvardhan, it comprises extensive discussions on poetics, dramaturgy, and theatrical insights in Sanskrit literature.

UNESCO's Memory of the World (MOW) Programme: 

• The Memory of the World (MOW) programme, initiated by UNESCO in 1992, serves as a global strategy to preserve and promote access to rare and endangered documentary heritage. 
• Its mission, articulated to prevent "collective amnesia," underscores the importance of safeguarding archive holdings and library collections worldwide.
• The programme recognizes documentary heritage of international, regional, and national significance, maintaining registers and awarding logos to identified collections.
• It advocates for preservation and equitable access, raising awareness among governments, the public, and businesses about the need for conservation and fundraising.
• Inscription on the MOW register validates the cultural and historical value of documented heritage, enhancing visibility and accessibility for research, education, entertainment, and long-term preservation efforts.
• The Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Committee (MOWCAP), established in 1998, specifically celebrates achievements across 43 countries in genealogy, literature, science, and more.
• The MOWCAP Regional Register includes 65 items that reflect the diverse cultural richness and historical significance of the Asia-Pacific region.