Conservation, open access of cultural assets need of the hour: Dr James H. Nye

Bhubaneswar: Renowned author in language study, bibliography and Indology, Dr James H. Nye today said cultural assets are powerful products and lifeline of humanity and people have a right of open access to it.

Delivering the 5th Lecture of Odisha Knowledge Hub (OKH) lecture series at the Secretariat here, the famous bibliographer and renowned author focused on conservation, digitization and open access of cultural assets throughout the world. He said the available cultural resources at different locations need to be digitized in an international quality standard and be linked with each other.

Stating that conservation and open access of cultural assets and heritage is a challenging task, he said Odisha has the potential and capability of emerging as a model State in this direction in South East Asian region. He offered collaborative partnership with the state government for conservation of the Odia language, heritage and other cultural assets.

Dr James also presented thesummary proceedings of the Odisha Advisory Council held on May 8, 1936 in digitized form to the chief secretary.

Dr James is presently working as Bibliographer for Southern Asia, Joseph Regenstein Library, University of Chicago. Previously he had served as Interim Director, South Asia language Resource Center. Some of his path breaking works include, ‘International Information Exchange: New Configuration for Library Collaboration in South Asia Studies’ and ‘Geo-spatial Data and Integration of Digital Resources for South Asian Studies’.

Talking to media persons, Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan spoke in glowing terms about the contributions of Dr James in digitization and preservation of Purna Chandra Bhasakosha in Southern Asia Joseph Regenstein Library of the University of Chicago and digitization of Odia language dictionary.

“We expressed our desire to conserve all records and books relating Odisha that are available in Odisha, within India and also in other countries. He assured all help in this initiative.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik witnessed the lecture from his conference hall through video conferencing.

Ministers, MLAs, senior officials, academicians, eminent personalities from various fields along with senior functionaries of the Centre and the state governments participated in the programme which was also video linked to all 30 districts from where collectors and senior officers the districts participated in the discussion.