Petition Seeking Permission for NAI visitors to photograph archival material

Yes it would be best step

This is very urgently needed for speedy research and convenience of scholars.

Dear Director, National Archives of India, The National Archives of India contains volumes of material on areas outside of India. It is difficult for foreigners of Indian origin, those who study India's global interactions, and foreign scholars to access this material, especially with limitations on time and budget constraints. Allowing photography would make the shared history of India and the world more accessible. As an "Indian Overseas," and as a researcher, I wholeheartedly support this petition. There is a rich story to tell, and the current rules against photography inhibit this.

It is very important for good research of India's historic heritage!

Please let the NAI researchers perform their mission of photographing the archival material.

Academic freedom for researcher is essential for furthering the very mandate of National Archives of India.

I wholeheartedly agree with this petition.

I fully agree

I support the initiative. Doctoral Student IIM Calcutta

I fully support the initiative Namrata Hasija Research Associate

I am fully in support of this petition. Photographing is far less damaging to the many fragile documents in the NAI than scanning or photocopying, which often requires destructive unbinding. It would be a massive step forward in archival preservation.

Assistant Professor, Department of History, UC-Berkeley

How does this rule help anyone?

We need to integrate modern technology tools and open access to that commons of cultural capital of archival material. Scholars and researchers provide countries invaluable service by their studies and interpretation of this archival material. And they provide access to the greater public through their work. As an Indian, on of our most cherished values is inquiry and education. Wishing the Nai all the very best to steward this democratization of the scholarly process. Some norms and standards from nai would be very helpful.

I am grateful for the permission I have had to use in other archives, or I would never be able to do a lot of my current work (www.thetravellingarchive.org)

Let's unlock our national archives so that the stored information can be shared widely to everybody interested in Indian history!

With the sensible rules mentioned on turning off the flash and shutter noises, this really is a sensible measure for research and preservation reasons. It would make a huge positive difference for researchers.

Fair !

If genuine should allow

I sign it coz heritage is for people and researchers to study and disseminat knowledge. However an undertaking by researcher that it is purely for academic purpose shall make the other party responsible too.