A significant step towards preserving India's rich historical legacy was taken in Dharwad with the inauguration of the 'Pratnakirti' Dr. Shrinivas Ritti Memorial Research Centre of Epigraphy. The centre, a unit of the New Delhi-based Manuscripts and Inscriptions Digitization Foundation (MIDF), aims to become a hub for the study and digital conservation of ancient texts and stone inscriptions.
Call for Public Engagement in Historical Studies
Renowned epigraphist Professor Srinivas Padigar, who inaugurated the centre, expressed his enthusiasm for the growing public interest in history. He noted that it is heartening to see individuals from diverse backgrounds stepping forward to study the past. Professor Padigar stressed that historians have a responsibility to impart historical knowledge to people through innovative and experimental methods. He underscored the critical importance of research, explaining that manuscripts and inscriptions are vital as they illuminate historical events and geographical places, offering a clearer understanding of our heritage.
Mission of Digitization and Multidisciplinary Approach
The core mission of the new centre aligns with the broader objective of its parent organization, the MIDF. Hanasoge Sudarshan, the Founder-Director of MIDF, stated that their primary goal is to digitize precious manuscripts and inscriptions using cutting-edge modern technology. This digital preservation is crucial for protecting fragile documents from decay and making them accessible to scholars worldwide.
The event also served as a tribute to the late historian Dr. Shrinivas Ritti, in whose memory the centre is established. Vithal Potdar, a senior research coordinator at Bengaluru's Mythic Society, detailed Dr. Ritti's life and academic achievements. He highlighted that Dr. Ritti's advocacy for multidisciplinary studies and research remains profoundly relevant in today's academic landscape, encouraging a holistic approach to historical inquiry.
Dignitaries and Family Support
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Dr. Sanjiv Kulkarni, Vice-President of the Karnatak Vidyavardhaka Sangha. Keyur Kargudari, the Director of the 'Pratnakirti' Research Centre, along with Pramod and Geeta Ritti, also addressed the gathering, sharing their vision for the centre's future contributions to the field of epigraphy and historical research.
The establishment of this research centre in Dharwad marks a pivotal development for historians, researchers, and students in the region. It promises to foster a deeper engagement with India's epigraphic wealth, ensuring that ancient knowledge is not only preserved in digital form but also interpreted and shared with the broader public for generations to come.
