Why is it in the News?

Three Indian literary works, Ramcharitmanas, Panchatantra, and Sah?dayaloka-Locana, were added to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Regional Register during the tenth meeting of the Memory of the World Committee for Asia and the Pacific (MOWCAP).

About Memory of the World Programme:

• The Memory of the World (MoW) Programme is an international initiative by UNESCO launched in 1992 aimed at preserving and recognizing the world's significant documentary heritage.
• The program's objective is to identify and protect important documents in a manner similar to how UNESCO's World Heritage Convention and World Heritage List recognize significant natural and cultural sites.

The Memory of the World Programme aims to:

• • Facilitating the preservation of documentary heritage, particularly in conflict-affected areas or regions impacted by natural disasters.
  • Enabling universal access to documentary heritage worldwide.
  • Enhancing public awareness about the significance of documentary heritage among the wider public.

Governance Body:

• The International Advisory Committee (IAC) serves as the main governing body for the MoW Programme, providing guidance to UNESCO on its planning and implementation.
• The IAC comprises 14 members appointed by UNESCO's Director-General, who are chosen for their expertise and authority in the field of documentary heritage.

Nominations for MoW:

• Nominations for inscription on the Asia Pacific Register are called every two years, alternating with the International Register.
  • In even-numbered years, nominations are accepted for the Asia Pacific Register.

India has three items included in the Memory of the World Register:

• Ramcharitmanas: Written by Tulasidas in the 16th century in the Awadhi dialect, this text holds immense cultural and literary significance in the regions of Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya.
• Panchatantra: This ancient Indian collection of fables, originally written in Sanskrit, consists of five sections that revolve around specific principles.
  • It is widely believed to have been authored by Vishnu Sharma.
• Sah?day?loka-Locana: A Sanskrit commentary on the Dhvanyaloka, Sah?day?loka-Locana holds significant historical and literary value within India's rich cultural landscape.
• Through the Memory of the World Programme, UNESCO continues to protect and celebrate the diverse documentary heritage of humanity, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for future generations.