By K K Singh
Patna (Magnificent Bihar): Thousands of rare Manuscripts including in Persian, Urdu, Sanskrit, Arabic, Hindi, Maithili and other various languages at the Central Library of the Patna University (PU) are decaying due to lack of proper upkeep and preservation. Many of them, written on leather, Bhojpatra, Nepali papers and having gold and silver linings, are rare of the rarest.
According to university sources; some of the rarest of manuscripts with the PU library are of the 13th century. Maithili manuscripts written by Rudradhar, Maithili Grammar, Ramayana, Mahabharata and History of Bihar and Magadha, which are precious, are written on various papers, leather, bhojpatra etc. All these manuscripts decaying in the PU library, include 1530 in Persian, 440 in Urdu, 316 in Arabic, 2547 in Sanskrit, Maithili and Hindi. All these manuscripts were donated to the PU library in the last 80 years by researchers and scholars. Moreover air conditioners, installed for protecting the manuscripts, are not functioning for the last 25 years.
Although the library is linked with Information and library network (INFLIBNET) programme of the University Grants Commission (UGC) for the last several years, no step has been taken by the PU authorities to transform and convert these rare manuscripts into digital and electronic forms.These manuscripts, once considered repository of art and culture, are lying locked in an isolated hall of the library for the last several years.
Lack of staff is said to be the main reason for the neglect of the manuscripts. Manuscript section was being looked after by two research assistants and one manuscript binder. All of them have retired. Now there is no one to look after the rare manuscripts.
The entire Central library of the PU, which has over 2.5 lakh books and journals, is facing acute shortage of staff. Top posts of Librarian and Assistant librarian are vacant. Surprisingly library of all post-graduate departments are in deplorable condition and have become non-functional. Thousands of books and journals, purchased under the UGC grants for these PG libraries are gathering dust for the last several years.
While confirming the decay of rare manuscripts in the Central Library of the PU, the Librarian in charge of the PU Central Library Jaydeo Mishra narrated to the Journalist the sad tales of library and said that university authorities have been informed several times in the last several years but no step has been taken to preserve, upkeep and regulate the manuscripts as well as proper functioning of this prestigious library. There is acute shortage of staff in the library, Mishra added.
