ASI to digitise its photo archives

New Delhi, Mar 6 (UNI) The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to digitise its photo archives and rare books in the archaeological library with the help of the American Institute of Indian Studies (AIIS), the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In a written reply, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said the total expenditure on this exercise had not been estimated and the work would be taken up in phases depending on the availability of funds.

Considering the extertise and experience of the Gurgaon-based AIIS, Ms Soni said the digitisation and classification of 10,000 photo negatives was entrusted to it as a pilot project, which had since been completed.

Replying to another query, she said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Culture, in a questionnaire addressed to the ASI on demands for grants, sought information on the role of AIIS in the digitisation of museum objects in the proposed National Mission on Antiquities and Monuments.

The committee was informed that no decision was taken in this regard and that the ministry was considering to take a pilot project for which the AIIS had indicated the cost.

The minister said the committee was also informed that the ASI would prepare the estimates before the project is taken up.

She, however, made it amply clear that considering the enormity of the task of conservation, maintenance and development work of protected heritahe sites and monuments in the country, the ASI needed more funds.

For the 11th Five-Year Plan, Ms Soni said need-based requirement of funds for the ASI had been projected. In addition, possibility of augmenting the resources of ASI through public-private participation is being explored.

UNI