One of the biggest obstacles that the Mission faces in its work is the limited number of scholars who can actually read the scripts and languages in which manuscripts were written such as Tiglari, Sarada, Grantha, Modi and Nandinagari, Newari and Gaudi. The Mission is making efforts to train young students, researchers, librarians and others who may use or look after manuscript, scripts, languages and impart skills in critical editing as well. In this connection we hold three-week Basic level courses at our Centres around the country ensuring that scripts and languages are relevant to the region in which the workshop is held. We recently began a six-week Advanced level course as well to provide more sophisticated skills to the best and brightest students from the Basic courses.

Though we will continue our workshops, we feel that if this kind of a programme was taken up by universities and academic institutions, would be much more effective and would ensure that the manuscript wealth of India does not lie unused and the treasures of knowledge, undiscovered.

Therefore, we would line to initiate Manuscriptology and Paleography courses at three possible levels:

• As six month Certificate courses
• As one year Diploma courses
• As two year Advanced Diploma courses or regular Masters Degree

The course outline for our Basic and Advanced-level workshops includes script learning and deciphering, history of writing and paleography, critical editing and language training. We have attached a sample syllabus for your kind information. Also, courses could be included at regular Masters or M.Phil programmes in institution/university.

We feel that courses such as these will provide the right platform for students from a variety of fields, be it the sciences or the humanities to explore the knowledge in manuscripts. Further, this will surely add value to their academic credentials.