The Department of Heritage Telangana on Monday, June 15, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Noor International Microfilm Centre, Iran Cultural House, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, New Delhi, for the digitisation, preservation, conservation and cataloguing of rare manuscripts, paintings, books and archival records.

The MoU was formally signed by Arjun Rao Kuthadi, director of the Department of Heritage Telangana, and Dr. Mehdi Khajeh Piri, director of the Noor International Microfilm Centre, in the presence of A. Vani Prasad, Special Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Arecheology among senior officials from both organisations.

The collaboration seeks to preserve Telangana’s collection of manuscripts and records, particularly those in Persian, Urdu, Arabic and other languages, using scientific digitisation and conservation techniques. Experts from the Iranian institution will undertake digitisation, indexing, cataloguing, repair and preservation work in the State.

Under the initiative, around 737 manuscripts, 3,091 paintings, 14,522 library books and 101 Dastawazats (archival records) will be covered. The project is expected to create high-quality digital archives and detailed catalogues while improving access to heritage resources for researchers and future generations, said a release.

It further added that the Telangana government will not bear any expenditure for the exercise, with all costs being met by the Iranian side through the Noor International Microfilm Centre. The agreement also includes provisions for training and capacity building of the department’s conservation staff in modern preservation techniques.