A Two-Day National Workshop on Setting Up Manuscript Repositories and Indic Libraries was conducted on 3–4 April 2025 at Alliance University. The event was jointly organised by the Centre of Excellence in Indic Studies (COE-IKS) and the Central Library of Alliance University. The workshop focused on the preservation, conservation, digitisation, and legal frameworks associated with Indic manuscripts, aligning with India’s cultural heritage.

Inauguration Ceremony
The workshop commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, followed by the Alliance University anthem and an invocation song by Dr Sruthy Chandrasekhar. Dr S. Rajendu, Director, COE-IKS, delivered the welcome address and outlined the objectives of the event. Mrs Surekha Shetty, Registrar General, extended her best wishes to the organising team. The inaugural address was delivered by Dr K. A. Venkatesh, Professor and Registrar (Examination & Evaluation), who spoke on the importance of preserving traditional knowledge systems.

Dr A. Umamaheswara Sastri, Former Epigraphist, State Department of Archaeology & Museums, Government of Andhra Pradesh, attended as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour. Dr Sastri shared insights into the historical and academic relevance of ancient manuscripts. Dr Prakash I. N, Librarian, Alliance University, delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the support of all attendees and contributors.

Technical Sessions
The workshop included ten technical sessions, addressing themes such as digital knowledge resources, conservation practices, copyright law, palm leaf manuscript handling, artificial intelligence tools for research, and strategies for establishing digital libraries. The sessions provided both theoretical insights and practical demonstrations, supporting the development of manuscript management skills.

Resource Persons
Subject experts and practitioners led the sessions. Notable contributors included D.r Ramesh C. Gaur and Dr Achal Pandya from IGNCA, Dr Anirban Dash from the National Mission for Manuscripts, Dr Hindurao S. Waydande from SVU Mumbai, and Prof Muttayya Koganuramath from the Basava International Information Centre. Contributions were also made by Dr T. Ramakrishna from NLSIU, Prof Gautam Jantakal, Mr Ashok Domlur from e-Sahithya, and faculty from Alliance University.

Exhibition and Cultural Integration
An exhibition showcasing rare collections, including ancient coins and palm leaf manuscripts, was held alongside the workshop. This segment attracted strong interest from participants, offering a visual and historical context to the sessions. A distinctive feature was the issuance of workshop certificates printed on palm leaves, representing a symbolic tribute to traditional documentation methods.

Valedictory Session
The concluding session was held on 4 April at 3:30 PM. Dr Priestly Shan, Vice-Chancellor, and Dr Athira B Kaimal, Associate Director, RAISE, presided over the valedictory ceremony. Reflections were shared, and certificates were distributed to the participants.

Participation and Feedback
The event saw active involvement from 60 delegates, including faculty members, researchers, librarians, and professionals from Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Positive feedback was received regarding the content, speaker expertise, organisation, and hospitality. Resource people acknowledged the professionalism of the host institution and its commitment to preserving Indic knowledge traditions.