Sushasan aur Abhilekh Exhibition: Shekhawat Highlighting Good Governance and Archival Preservation

During his visit, Shri Shekhawat reviewed the conservation system of these records and emphasized the importance of archives in understanding the reality of governance.

Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, inaugurated the exhibition "Sushasan aur Abhilekh" (Good Governance and Records) at the National Archives of India, located on Janpath, New Delhi. The exhibition showcases historical records newly acquired from various ministries and departments of the Government of India, offering an insightful look into the evolution of governance and administrative practices.

During his visit, Shri Shekhawat reviewed the conservation system of these records and emphasized the importance of archives in understanding the reality of governance. He noted that the exhibition's focus on cleanliness and good governance aligns with the broader goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and the preservation of India’s historical records.

Over the past decade, the Government of India’s cleanliness campaign has not only improved public health but has also extended to the safeguarding of historical documents. The effort resulted in the transfer of approximately 74,000 historically significant files to the National Archives of India (NAI) under the Swachh Bharat Mission, particularly between 2021 and 2024. These documents, appraised and transferred from 11 ministries and departments, reflect the core of good governance by preserving the nation's administrative history.

The exhibition also highlighted key collaborations between the National Archives and various ministries in preserving records that contribute to India's rich historical legacy. Notable displays included:

President’s Secretariat: Featuring the first aerial photograph of Rashtrapati Bhawan and records on the elevation of General Sam Manekshaw as India's first Field Marshal.

Election Commission of India: Tracing the journey from ballot boxes to the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), first used in the 1982 Kerala Assembly elections.

Ministry of Railways: Showcasing records of Indian Railways' expansion within India and internationally, including in Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

Ministry of Water Resources: Highlighting India’s history of water conservation, with documents on the Som Kamla Amba Project and the National Water Policy.

Ministry of Law and Justice: Archival materials on the post-independence renaming of the Imperial Library to the National Library and the discussions surrounding the 1955 Citizenship Bill.

Ministry of Power: Featuring key records from major power projects such as the Tehri and Koteshwar Dams in Uttarakhand.

Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs: Documents on legislative developments, including Constitutional Amendments and the election of key parliamentary officials.

Ministry of Commerce and Industry: Insights into India’s trade growth, including records from the Bofors Committee and the National Renewal Fund (NRF).

Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises: Documents showcasing engineering marvels like the Hooghly Bridge in Kolkata.

Patent Office: A display on notable patents, including the multilingual typewriter patented by Viswas Raghunath Bharve.

Press Information Bureau: Highlights included the awarding of Padma Vibhushan to General Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri and Air Marshal Arjan Singh, as well as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's 1950 speech on Calcutta Radio.

The exhibition underscores how well-maintained archival records serve as the bedrock for effective governance and accountability. "Sushasan aur Abhilekh" is open to the public from October 1, 2024, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM at the National Archives of India.

The National Archives of India, an attached office of the Ministry of Culture, was initially established in Kolkata in 1891 and later moved to New Delhi in 1937. It plays a pivotal role in implementing the Public Records Act of 1993 and the Public Records Rules of 1997, ensuring that vital records are preserved for future generations.