Union Government releases Rs. 2.77 crore as first instalment. On the whole, the project was sanctioned Rs. 34.66 crore that will have to be spent from 2015 to 2020.

The Hindu Hyderabad, September 22, 2015 Union Government releases Rs. 2.77 crore as first instalment. On the whole, the project was sanctioned Rs. 34.66 crore that will have to be spent from 2015 to 2020. The Union Government released a total of Rs. 2.77 crore as first instalment towards digitisation, translation and reprinting of rare Arabic manuscripts available at Dairatul Maarifil Osmania on Monday. Minister for Minority Affairs Najma Heptulla announced the release of funds at the launch of the multi-crore project. Speaking at the meet, Ms. Heptulla said that the Union government had launched project أ¢â‚¬ثœHamara Dharoharأ¢â‚¬â„¢ under which funds were sanctioned for Daira to support the preservation of rich traditions in the country. Funds released by the Centre will cover digitisation of manuscripts published by Daira, translation of its 240 publications and re-printing of old publications on offset printers. On the whole, the project was sanctioned Rs. 34.66 crore that will have to be spent from 2015 to 2020. أ¢â‚¬إ“We should showcase our rich heritage. It gives me immense pleasure to fund an institution for which Maulana Abul Kalam Azad had utmost respect,أ¢â‚¬آ‌ the minister, who is also the granddaughter of the Maulana, said. Mr. Azad had visited Dairatul Maarifil Osmania out of his love for Arabic literature, she said. The project is meant to preserve culturally and historically valuable texts across the country she said. The first books to be translated will be the ones on medicine and mathematics. The Daira also has ancient copies of Arabic literature on religion. The manuscripts are stored in microfilm and also in paper at the centre. Ms. Heptulla said that once the manuscripts are digitised, it could reach a wide range of people. Arvind Mayaram, secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, said that Daira should come up with the first translation of the book by March 31, 2016. أ¢â‚¬إ“Funds will be released in a phased manner at the completion of each phase of the project,أ¢â‚¬آ‌ he said. Secretary, Minority Welfare Department, Syed Omer Jaleel, said that the State will ensure completion of the assigned project within a stipulated timeframe.