All publications of Gorkhapatra to be digitized

Kathmandu, May 26: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between Gorkhapatra Corporation and the National Archives on Thursday to digitize the publications of Gorkhapatra Corporation.

At the programme held at the Corporation, the executive chairman of the Gorkhapatra Corporation Bishnu Prasad Subedi and the director general of the National Archives Saubhagya Pradhananga signed the MoU to digitize the publications of the corporation.

The corporation is preparing digital archives of publications including 'Gorkhapatra' and 'The Rising Nepal'.

The corporation, which has a history of 122 years, is developing a web-based searchable text database by digitally archiving both the currently as well as previously published newspapers and magazines.

In the database, readers will be able to easily read all the publications of the corporation.

Executive Chairman Subedi, said that special attention would be given to the protection of Gorkhapatra as it is not only a newspaper but also a mirror of the political and social history of the country. He said, "Future generation will access our historical publications through the Internet, and as the present task of digitizing is related to the latest technology, completing this task will be challenging but we will be be able to over any unforeseen obstacles."

He said, "I believe that Gorkhapatra's digital archive will be an important reference for thousands of readers and researchers."

DG of National Archives Saubhagya Pradhananga said that Gorkhapatra is the largest source for the researchers so the National Archives has been providing physical security to its publications. 

She said, "Now we will prepare a digital archive in cooperation with the corporation, from which the government's entity will be secured. It is important in itself to keep this archive of history alive for future generations by using technology." 

According to the MoU, the institute and the archives will collect the publications which have not been fully compiled so far. 

All the publications of Gorkhapatra Corporation will be digitized using technology.

Similarly, historical photographs and film reels in the collection of the corporation will also be digitized. With the archives, the issues of Gorkhapatra from 1958 to 2028 BS will be protected in microfilm technology.

In the MoU, It has been mentioned that the publications that were published after 2029 BS will be translated digitally from microfilm, if it is not possible those newspapers will be translated digitally from hardcopy and will be secured in modern technology. 

The agreement read that quality digital images of the publications will be prepared and collected then digital images will be produced and stored separately in the corporation and in the national archives.

Management Committee formed under the coordination of GM

A management committee has been formed under the coordination of Lal Bahadur Airi, the general manager of Gorkhapatra corporation, to complete the digitization work timely by making a detailed list of all publications, historical pictures and reels of the corporation.

The committee has representatives from Gorkhapatra corporation, National Archives, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation.