Role of Libraries in Managing Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in the Era of Digital India

LIBRARY HERALD

Year : 2025, Volume : 63, Issue : 1

First page : (129) Last page : (141)

Print ISSN : 0024-2292. Online ISSN : 0976-2469.

Article DOI : 10.5958/0976-2469.2025.00010.X

Role of Libraries in Managing Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in the Era of Digital India

S N Chari1

1 Deputy Director, Indian Council of Social Science Research, Delhi, India

Abstract 

This research paper delves into the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) within the framework of Digital India, with an objective to unravel its relevance and the challenges encountered in the modern digital landscape. IKS encompasses a wealth of conventional wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations, representing a reservoir of cultural heritage and intellectual wealth. The advent of the Digital India initiative evidences a significant and paradigm shift in the manner in which knowledge is disseminated, accessed, and preserved. The paper concentrates on the critical challenges created by this transformation, emphasizing the emerging requirement to safeguard and make accessible this invaluable repository of knowledge. It also seeks to investigate the role played by institutions in preserving, promoting, and disseminating IKS in the digital era. One of the pivotal attributes to the exploration is an analysis of the profound impact of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in facilitating digital transformation. These professionals face multi-faceted challenges in their endeavour, ranging from technological constraints to issues related to preserving authenticity while adapting to digital formats. The paper highlights the impending benefits that can arise from integrating IKS with the digital landscape, emphasizing the role of LIS professionals as guardians and facilitators of this convergence14 . Furthermore, the research examines the pivotal contribution of libraries in the Digital India era. Libraries continue to remain as crucial bridges, linking the realms of outdated knowledge with progressive technological platforms. They perform as energetic spaces for not only preserving and archiving IKS, but also enabling its incorporation with present day digital resources. In essence, this paper serves as a comprehensive exploration of the synergy between IKS and Digital India, shedding light on the challenges, opportunities, and the significant role played by institutions, particularly libraries and LIS professionals, in preserving, promoting, and bridging the gap between age-old wisdom and modern technology.

Keywords 

Indian Knowledge System; Digital India; Libraries; Traditional Knowledge