Parliament Question: Digitisation and documentation of history of Erode district

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 663 ANSWERED ON 05/02/2026 Digitisation and documentation of history of Erode district 663. Shri Anthiyur P. Selvarasu: Will the Minister of Culture be pleased to state (a) whether Government has assessed the need for archival digitisation and local history documentation in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, including support through schools and colleges in the city; (b) if so, the details of digitisation projects, archival support proposals, funding assistance and outreach programmes implemented in the district; and (c) the measures proposed to be taken by Government to strengthen documentation, exhibitions and youth engagement with heritage through institutional support in the said district? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TURISOM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) to (c): The Government has taken note of the importance of archival digitisation and documentation of local histories across districts, including Erode in Tamil Nadu. While no district-specific assessment has been undertaken exclusively for Erode, the Ministry of Culture, through the National Archives of India and allied institutions, has initiated nationwide programmes for digitisation of archival records and documentation of local heritage. These programmes are designed to encourage participation of schools, colleges, and universities in heritage awareness and local history projects. At present, no dedicated digitisation project or archival support proposal has been implemented specifically in Erode district under the Ministry of Culture. However, the National Archives of India and Gyan Bharatam Mission are engaged in large-scale digitisation of records and manuscripts to strengthen documentation, exhibitions, and youth engagement with heritage Funding assistance and outreach programmes are extended on a project-based basis. *****