CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu higher education minister Govi Chezhiaan on Thursday claimed that the State Archives is preserving more than 400 million documents, some dating back to more than 300 years documents using modern preservation techniques with generous allocation from the State government. These priceless records are being conserved using Japanese Tissue Method and digitisation techniques, he added.
Inaugurating the golden jubilee meeting of the National Committee of Archivists, Chezhiaan said the Tamil Nadu government had allocated Rs. 10 crore for adopting the advanced Japanese tissue mending technique for preservation of documents last year, and has also allocated the same amount this year, thereby demonstrating its intent. Moreover, to encourage research and publications on the history of the region, especially Tamil Nadu, the government was providing a stipend of Rs. 25,000 a month to young researchers, he said.
The minister emphasised the importance of preserving history, saying, “A nation that values and remembers its history can achieve the highest position in the world. Archives are the backbone of government administration. From ancient inscriptions to colonial records, archives safeguard the heritage of governance.”
Tracing its legacy, he said the Tamil Nadu Archives, functioning since 1805, is one of the oldest in India. It was renamed as the Tamil Nadu Archives in 1968, and in 1972, former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi established the Tamil Nadu Historical Research Society.
The minister further said that all departmental records are systematically catalogued and preserved by the Archives. “Currently, it safeguards more than 400 million documents dating back to over three centuries. Conservation efforts are being carried out through the Japanese Tissue Method, for which Rs 10 crore has been allotted. Digitisation of records is also underway,” the minister added.
He highlighted that researchers and scholars across the state make extensive use of these records, which include historic documents related to freedom fighters such as Puli Thevar and Veerapandiya Kattabomman, who fought against British rule.
The programme was attended by Sanjay Rastogi, director general of the National Archives of India, higher education secretary Shankar, principal secretary of Tamil Nadu Archives Har Sahay Meena, archivists from 15 states and 5 Union Territories, along with historians and research scholars.
The minister also launched the official website of the Tamil Nadu Archives (www.digitamilnaduarchives.tn.gov.in) and released two books titled “Revolts Against British Rule in Tamil Nadu and Supreme Sacrifices Prior to 1857 AD” and “The Four Mysore Wars and the Conquests of Tamil Nadu.”
