Gyan Bharatam to preserve India’s manuscript heritage with ₹491.66 crore funding
Gyan Bharatam, a flagship Union Budget 2025–26 initiative, seeks to preserve and revitalise India’s manuscript heritage. Implemented by the Ministry of Culture, the program aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision by integrating cultural conservation with human capital development. The Standing Finance Committee has approved ₹491.66 crore for 2025–2031 to support digitisation, conservation, and research. The initiative targets thousands of manuscripts across languages, with centres and clusters contributing to a national digital repository. The government emphasises combining traditional knowledge with modern technology to safeguard manuscripts for future generations.
Budget allocation: ₹491.66 crore (2025–2031).
Aims to preserve and digitise India’s manuscript heritage.
Part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
Implemented by the Ministry of Culture.
Feb 01, 2026
39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Craft Festival 2026 begins in Faridabad
The 39th Surajkund International Atmanirbhar Craft Festival 2026 begins at Surajkund, Faridabad, with Vice President CP Radhakrishnan scheduled to inaugurate the event. The 16-day festival runs from January 31 to February 15, 2026, featuring a large array of handicrafts and cultural programs. Organizers say the fair includes around 1,200 stalls and participation from more than 50 countries, with themes highlighting Uttar Pradesh and Meghalaya as partner states. Egypt is the partner nation this year. Notable performances by Kailash Kher (Feb 9) and Gurdas Maan (Feb 8) are planned, alongside other artists and cultural showcases.
Start date: January 31, 2026; end date: February 15, 2026.
Participants: ~1,200 stalls; 50+ countries; Egypt as partner nation.
Notable performances: Kailash Kher, Gurdas Maan (dates listed).
Surajkund Crafts Mela 2026 dates announced: 31 January to 15 February 2026
Official information confirms the International Surajkund Crafts Mela 2026 will run from 31 January to 15 February at Surajkund, Faridabad, in Haryana. Organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism, in collaboration with the central ministries of Tourism, Culture, Textiles and External Affairs, the festival showcases crafts, handlooms and cultural performances from India and abroad. Egypt is the partner nation for this edition. The event attracts a large international presence and domestic visitors, highlighting heritage crafts and the country’s diverse cultural art forms.
Dates: 31 January – 15 February 2026.
Venue: Surajkund, Faridabad, Haryana.
Organizers: Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism.
Partner nation: Egypt.
Highlights: crafts, performances, international participants.