The palm leaf Manuscript of Odisha State Museum have become the centre of attraction and interest of whole world . Around 40,000 palm leaf manuscripts have been preserved in Odisha State Museum. It is strange but true that Odisha enjoys the pride of place having the largest collection of manuscripts in the entire world. The collections of manuscripts in the State Museum categorized into 27 sections consisting of Vedas, Tantra, Religious, Scriptures, Philosophy, Astrology, Ayurveda, Grammar, Lexicon, Music, Puranas, Kavyas, Mathematics etc. A laudable step has been initiated by e-Cataloguing of the Manuscripts with the help of N.I.C to make it accessible to all the stakeholders throughout the world. Messages have been received from renowned Universities and reputed institutions wishing the success of this programme
The programme is first of its kind in whole of India was launched by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha on 29.09.2014 in Odisha State Museum, Bhubaneswar. In a meeting organized on the occasion of the launching of e-Pothi programme,the Chief Minister of Odisha who graced the function, expressing his happiness for the accessibility of the manuscripts to the entire world. He is hopeful that Odisha will establish a special identity of its own through this programme.
Hon'ble Minister , Tourism and Culture , Sri Ashok Chandra Panda said that the Palm leaf Manuscript of Odisha not only have received a national heritage status, but also UNESCO is thinking of according world heritage tag to it. This On-line Cataloging System of the Manuscripts would be of immense help to the researchers of the world over and in process would bring laurels to the State Periodic Seminar and Symposium would be organized on this aspect to highlight the intrinsic strength and value of the Odishan Culture. The Minister emphasized.
On the occasion a special exhibition was organized on the rare antiquities and cultural properties preserved in Odisha State Museum.
Dr. Prasanna Kumar Pattasani, Hon'ble M.P. ,Bhubaneswar said that Odisha enjoys a special plane in the cultural firmament of the country because of the rare manuscript collection.
Sri S.K. Das, Director and Addl. Secretary to Govt., Dept of Culture delivered the welcome address. Dr.R.N. Behera, Sr. Director(Technical) ,National Informatics Centre, enlightened the guests about the efficacy and usefulness of the e-Pothi: On-line cataloguing System.
Dr. Jayanti Rath , Superintendent , Odisha State Museum offered the vote of thanks to the dignitaries and all concern and Dr. Bhagyalipi Malla ,Curator of the manuscript Section anchored the programme.