A scientific preservation programme for rare ancient palm-leaf manuscripts was undertaken on Wednesday at the library of P.B. Siddhartha Arts and Science College.

The college principal Meka Ramesh said that the initiative was carried out by the Sanatana Jeevan Trust, which is functioning as the Andhra Pradesh Cluster Centre under the Central Government’s Gyan Bharatam Mission, a national initiative to preserve, digitise, and disseminate India’s vast manuscript heritage, integrating tradition with technology for future generations.

Director of the institution Vemuri Baburao informed that under the guidance of the trust’s founder G. Shashidhar, Andhra Pradesh Cluster Centre coordinator Indira Malapaka personally supervised the preservation process at the college library. Five important bundles of palm-leaf manuscripts in the library were brought under scientific conservation methods.

These invaluable manuscripts, written in Telugu script and Sanskrit, include Pattabhi Ramayanam, Sesha Dharmam, Harivamsam, Andhra Mahabharatam, and Ranganatha Ramayanam. The preservation process was carried out under the supervision of Chief Librarian K. Vanisri. College Dean Rajesh C. Jampala also participated in the programme.

The college management appreciated the role of the Sanatana Jeevan Trust and the Gyan Bharatam Mission in safeguarding palm-leaf manuscripts. Dr. Malapaka explained the scientific preservation techniques to students, including removal of dust, chemical cleaning, and application of lemongrass oil to maintain the flexibility of the palm leaves.

The preservation programme began on March 16 and will continue until June 16. Dr. Malapaka said as part of the nationwide goal of preserving 1 crore (10 million) palm-leaf manuscripts, about 6.9 million manuscripts had already been conserved so far.