(8 November 2008 6:30 pm)

NEW DELHI: Adopting the best global practices in digital preservation was the need of the hour as the market was more globalised, Dr A. K. Chakravarti, Adviser to the Department of Information Technology, said.

Speaking at a seminar on the theme ‘Digital Preservation in India’ jointly organized by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology and FICCI, he said the consultation process with various countries in understanding the international standards will help compliance with a particular standard that is suitable for India.

He made special reference to the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) of USA, Open Archival Information System (OAIS) and European Model of Cultural, Artistic and Scientific knowledge for Preservation, Access and Retrieval (CASPAR) as examples of the best digital preservation models.

Chairing the session on “Needs and Challenges for Digital Preservation”, Dr. Shalini Urs who is Executive Director and Professor International School of Information Management in Mysore University said the challenge in digital preservation were not only technological but also related to the organizational structure. She felt there was need of a National Policy in India for digital preservation of data and an effective implementation process of the policy.

Talking about the problems faced in implementing Digital Preservation, N S Mani who is Microphotographist in the National Archives of India, said the major preservation challenges included lack of availability of standard formats for the image formats, lack of update of software for compatibility with new hard ware, shortage of skilled personnel and lack of Management Policy and Preservation Policy. He said from the archival perspective, Electronic Records were still in the stage of infancy in India. He suggested the need for an "office procedure manual for electronic records with subsequent conversion to digital mode" in line with the stipulations incorporated in "Manual of Office Procedure."

Ficci deputy secretary general Rajan Kohli said India was still in a preliminary stage as far as the methods and ways of digital preservation of data are concerned. He urged the need to have a legal framework in this area considering the increased usage of IT in all sectors of the economy.