Prime Ministers' Museum and Library Launches Digital Archives
The Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library (PMML) has launched its digital archives, providing online access to a vast collection of historical documents. This initiative follows the recent launch of the Nehru Archive by the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF), marking a significant step in making historical resources more accessible to researchers and the public.
Extensive Archival Resources Now Online
The PMML, operating under the Ministry of Culture, houses an extensive collection of over 25 million documents from more than 1,300 individuals and organizations. These materials are crucial for scholars studying modern and contemporary Indian history. The newly launched digital archives include:
- Personal papers
- Correspondence
- Speeches
- Diaries
- Newspaper articles
Digitization Project and Remote Access
The PMML has been working on a comprehensive digitization project to preserve and provide access to its rare archival collection. A dedicated IT platform has been created to facilitate remote access for registered scholars. Key features of the new system include:
- Online requests for specific documents
- Secure access to approved materials on the scholar's desktop
- Elimination of the need to visit the PMML premises for viewing documents
Commitment to Research
Ashwani Lohani, Director of PMML, emphasized that this initiative reflects the institution's commitment to promoting high-quality research and strengthening the study of modern and contemporary India by enhancing access to archival materials. This digital archive is a valuable resource for historians and researchers worldwide.
Nehru Archive Expansion
In related news, the JNMF launched the Nehru Archive on November 14, 2024, to mark Jawaharlal Nehru's 136th birth anniversary. The first phase includes the Selected Works of Jawaharlal Nehru, with 100 volumes containing 35,000 documents available for free download. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh announced that the second phase will focus on locating letters written to Nehru, further expanding the archive's resources. The Nehru Archive aims to be the definitive resource on India's first prime minister.
