British library will digitize 4,000 Bengali books, having
around 800,000 pages, as a part of the UK India Culture plan for 2017. The
project of digitization is led by the British Library and funded by the Newton
fund, and is part of the 'Two Centuries of Indian Print' project, to digitize a
set of books printed using unique material from South Asia. The books are
highly popular among readers and have been translated into 22 South Asian
languages.The project proposes to also find how effective are the digital
methods and techniques while digitizing the collection of books. It will offer
various digital skills training and practical sessions to understand the
innovative methods as a part of South Asian studies.
Project details reveal that 500,000 pounds from the Newton
Fund, which were donated to 'Two Centuries of Indian Print’ allows the
digitization of South Asian books along with its 6,000 volumes. Most of the
books digitized are rare and fragile publications, and since these collections
are still in demand, researchers will definitely benefit from it. As part of
the project, British Library offers to partner with Indian institutions and to
share its knowledge, experience and skills while digitizing scholarships and to
expand the research work.
Chairman of British library, Baroness Blackstone,expressed
excitement about the project and said it will help in offering advanced
printing techniques to South Asia and will digitize millions of pages, which
will benefit many researchers. He is eager to meet the Indian counterpart in
the project and has thanked the supporters who are offering the fund for the
project. Science Minister, Jo Johnson, said the project is very inspiring and will surely benefit the
researchers and the public, when the world’s largest collection of South Asian
books will be hosted by the British library.
Tags: British Library
Bengali Books
Digitization Of Bengali Books
Uk India Culture Plan 2017
