PANJIM: Asia’s oldest archives will get new house in next two years, with Minister for Archives and Archaeology Vijai Sardesai on Monday announcing to construct a state-of-the-art modern facility to preserve these records dating back to 15th century. Digitisation of old records is also Government’s top priority.
Sardesai on Monday paid his maiden visit to the department located at Mala and was accompanied by Director of Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services Ashok Menon, who has been directed to conduct the fire safety audit of the building, to avert fire incident which took place at Panjim RTO office leading to destruction of documents.
Speaking to media persons after his visit, the minister said Goa has a distinction of having the oldest archives in Asia and government priority is to preserve and protect it.
“When we talk about Goenkarponn, we need to know that Goa’s heritage is in its archives. The records are oldest and therefore priceless. Government’s priority is to protect these archives,” he said.
“There may be some international mafias’ who try to destroy the archives. It has happened in the past in other places and we cannot allow this to happen in Goa. We cannot allow history to repeat itself,” Sardesai said.
Before visiting the department, the minister held meeting with Chief Secretary IAS Dharmendra Sharma over shifting of the department. The Chief Secretary was of the view that a facility be constructed first and then the records be shifted as they are delicate and old.
“Accordingly, it has decided to build a state-of-the-art facility and then shift the records. Government will have to allot a land. The Department requires 6000 sq mts of built up area,” Sardesai said while proposing to have facility either at St Inez, Taleigao or Dona Paula.
“I would even like to take it to South Goa but that is not possible,” he said.
“My priority is to have new house which will resemble Goan archives but will be a modern facility that can be aimed at providing education and awareness to students,” he added stating that the facility would be ready within two years.
He said that government will also accord priority to digitisation of the old records.
