“Archives in Action” Stakeholders’ Meeting Concludes Successfully at ISI

The valedictory session of the two-day stakeholders’ meeting, organized by the P C Mahalanobis Memorial Museum & Archives (PCMMM&A) in collaboration with the National Archives of India, concluded 28 Jan 2025 at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). This session marked the successful culmination of a series of discussions aimed at exchanging best practices in archival research and management.

The event opened with a cordial welcome address by Mr. Avik Kr. Das, Associate Scientist ‘A’ at PCMMM&A, ISI, who set a positive tone for the proceedings. His words highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing in enhancing archival practices.

In the feedback, participants expressed their appreciation for the event’s rich content, well-structured format, and the interactive approach that fostered meaningful discussions. Many highlighted the value of sharing knowledge and networking with experts from various domains.

Dr. Kishor Chandra Satpathy, In-Charge of PCMMM&A and Organizing Secretary of the event, followed with a comprehensive report, summarizing the key accomplishments, outcomes, and key takeaways from the event. He highlighted that this event highlighted the importance of collaboration in addressing the challenges facing archival research and management, and it has laid a strong foundation for continued progress in preserving India’s rich cultural heritage.

Dr. Joydev Chattopadhyay, Chairperson of the Library Committee, delivered an insightful talk, extending gratitude to the organizing team and participants for their collective efforts in advancing the cause of preserving cultural heritage. He also emphasized the role of archival forums in promoting cooperation among professionals and institutions in safeguarding historical records.

Dr. K C Jena, Deputy Director, NAI and Special Guest spoke on the significance of popularizing archives as a vital part of national heritage. He highlighted the role of oral archives in preserving intangible cultural heritage and outlined the initiatives taken by the Director General of the National Archives of India to further this cause.

The valedictory address was delivered by Shri Naoroibam Raju Singh, Deputy Director of Archives, NAI and Chief Guest for the session. Shri Singh elaborated on the mission and vision of the National Archives of India, urging experts from the field of cultural heritage to engage with such forums for fostering collaboration and enhancing the quality of archival practices. He provided an overview of the National Archives’ ongoing initiatives and future goals in the field of archival research, emphasizing the importance of preserving India’s historical legacy for future generations.

In his presidential address, Dr. Dipti Prasad Mukherjee, Deputy Director of ISI, commended the efforts of the organizing team and acknowledged the active participation of all attendees. He expressed hope that the discussions and collaborations during the event would lead to stronger partnerships in the archival sector and contribute to the development of a robust archival framework in India.

The session concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr. Tapan Kumar Mandal, Deputy Librarian at ISI. Dr. Mandal expressed deep gratitude to the speakers, the organizing team, and all participants for their invaluable contributions to the success of the event.

The event was gracefully conducted by Dr. Monali Paladhi, Deputy Librarian, whose meticulous planning and management ensured a seamless and enriching experience for everyone involved.

This two-day stakeholders’ meeting has successfully fostered knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration, laying a strong foundation for future advancements in archival research and management.

The meeting is attended by over 60 archivists from 15 states, representing prominent institutions such as the National Archives of India, Tripura State Archives, Odisha State Archives, West Bengal State Archives, Punjab State Archives, DS Group’s Corporate Archives & Museum, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts-New Delhi, Aditya Birla Centre for Archival Research-Mumbai, Sir J C Bose Trust, Indian Institute of Astrophysics- Bangalore, SCTR-Jadavpur University, India Foundation for the Arts, Indian Museum-Kolkata, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Bose Institute, School of Vedic Studies- RBU, CEPT Archives of Ahmedabad, Indian Museum, Nanda Talukdar Foundation of Assam, Kolkata Centre for Creativity, SBI Museum & Archives, Asiatic Society-Kolkata, Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum of Ahmedabad, French Institute of Pondicherry, Cooch Behar Archive, Victoria Memorial Hall, Calcutta University, CARC-Nalanda University, CBSL Group, and many more.