LUCKNOW, Oct. 12 -- From Puranas and other Hindu religious scriptures written on tree barks to a 23.5-foot-long Quran Majeed scroll, the vast collection of rare manuscripts, books, and paintings preserved at Tagore Library is set to get a new digital life. As part of a nationwide initiative, the National Museum, New Delhi, has begun the process of digitising manuscripts from Tagore Library, said professor Keya Pandey, the honorary librarian. "Over 2,023 manuscripts, 356 rare textbooks, and 400 paintings will be digitised under the collaboration," she said. Pandey noted that some of these manuscripts are written on tree barks, gold-plated pages, and materials dating back to 118 AD. "The digitisation of these manuscripts and rare textbooks will make them more accessible for readers while ensuring their long-term preservation," she added. Among the prominent ones are Kashf-al-Naqab (118 AD), Delectus (125 AD), Puranas - Una Sanhita, and Garuda Purana written on tree barks. The paintings of prominent artistes, including Asit Kumar Haldar, will be digitised as part of the process. "While the university has applied for the project for quite some time. We were told that the work will begin in the month of October. We also have a backup budget allocated in case there are any changes in the process," said Pandey. In another step towards modernisation, the Tagore Library has made its circulation counters cashless. "Students can now pay library card fees, late fees, and no-dues charges through QR codes, eliminating the need for cash transactions. This initiative will make the system more user-friendly and efficient."...