Today we are in a precarious situation where the need to preserve the Sanatana Vedic literature has reached a critical juncture. The corpus of this literature is predominantly found in rare manuscripts and one-of-a kind handwritten texts. There is also the question if this paper or parchment based treasure will even survive the ravages of time. Preserving such a massive corpus poses the additional requirement of large well equipped spaces. Use of present day technology may offers a comprehensive solution. With the ever present, reassuring inspiration from P.P. Sadguru Shree Mama and P.P. Sadguru Sou. ShakuntalaTai at our backs and the visionaries, P.P. Sadguru Shree Shireesh Dada and P.P. Sadguru Shree Aniruddhaji leading from the front, a broad based digital project with far reaching implications was launched in December 2019. This project of creating a 'digital library,' or an 'e-library' will allow for the creation of a massive collection of digital artifacts. The project is mainly sponsored and operated through the auspices of Alandi based, Sant Shree Nivruttinath Maharaj Granthalay and it's digital resources.
The details of the project have emerged as per the vision of P.P. Sadguru Shree Dada and the corresponding execution as per the instructions from P.P. Sadguru Shree Aniruddhaji. This involves, firstly the procurement of the targeted texts, appropriate clean-up, care and subsequent storage and registration entry at the Sant Shree Nivruttinath Maharaj Granthalay and Sant Shree Mamasaheb Deshpande Granthalay. After this first step the research team gets into the act. This team is given a priority list of important reference documents and tasked to look into every corner of the internet to see if the digital version of these editions already exists. A sub-list of all those books whose digital versions are not available is then handed over to the scanning team. This team scans each book from cover to cover appropriating due care to documents of such import. Each digital file is saved using a naming terminology following a standard operating procedure. The scanned versions are then handed over to the review team. This team, using sophisticated machine learning algorithms checks the quality of the scan. Each page is reviewed for legibility and fidelity. Once the file passes the rigours of the review process it is made available through the library portal.
At present more than 1200 digital scans are available for research and study using the comforts and resources at the premises of Sant Shree Nivruttinath Maharaj Granthalay. The legal team, studying copyright rules and corresponding Indian laws, will soon advice regarding the availability of these files on the internet itself. This will obviously benefit the vast sadhak diaspora spread from Sydney to San Francisco. They can login and use this invaluable resource for their study. As part of the goals of the project, these researchers are further requested to keep an eye on any available resource housing digital editions of rare books, that may be bestowed as gifts (or at a reasonable fee) to the effort. The corresponding information can be passed to the trustees of Shree Dnyandev Siddhanet Tapovan who will take the matters further.
It is only with the divine grace of Param Pujya Sadguru and the collective efforts of all involved, that we are going to be able to pull through this mammoth task. P.P.Sadguru Shree Dada has already shared and imbibed within each project volunteer, his farsight, wherein he envisions a powerful world wide network of multiple such 'e-libraries' each contributing and sharing their own digital treasure troves, ultimately presenting an array of unimaginable possibilities for students and scholars all around the globe.