BHUBANESWAR: Additional Chief Secretary of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology Vishal Kumar Dev on Thursday urged participants of a manuscriptology workshop to apply their skills in the collection, cataloguing and transcription of manuscripts to help Odisha’s knowledge heritage gain wider global reach. Addressing the valedictory session of the 10-day workshop organised by the Odia Virtual Academy here, Dev expressed confidence that the participants would contribute meaningfully to future language enrichment initiatives. The programme drew participation from 52 students, researchers, teachers and trainees from across the State. In addition to theoretical sessions, participants undertook field visits to the Odisha State Museum for practical exposure. Secretary of the Odia Virtual Academy Dr. Pradeep Kumar Raut lauded the successful completion of the workshop and designated the trainees as “Manuscript Ambassadors”, underscoring the Academy’s expectation of their continued collaboration. The workshop featured lectures and guidance from eminent scholars, including former Vice-Chancellor and former Director of the National Mission for Manuscripts Dr. Prafulla Kumar Mishra, Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabhat Kumar Mahapatra, Prof. Harekrishna Mishra of Santiniketan, Prof. Braja Kishore Swain of Puri, Prof. Braja Sundar Mishra, curriculum coordinator Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Mahapatra, former Deputy Director General of the Ministry of AYUSH Dr. Madan Mohan Padhi, INTACH Director Dr. Mallika Mitra, Dr. Mamata Mishra, State Museum Superintendent Dr. Bharati Pal, Dr. Nibedita Pati of Keonjhar, Preetanshu Priyadarshini Mishra and Basanti Das, among others. A book on manuscriptology was released during the ceremony. Dr. Prafulla Kumar Mishra and Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Mahapatra also addressed the gathering, while workshop coordinator Debananda Bhanja proposed the vote of thanks.
