The Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) received a advanced scanner packed with modern features designed to digitise ancient palm leaf manuscripts for its Oriental Research Institute (ORI). Equipped with A2 Plus platform and a 152 megapixel overhead camera, the machine can scan up to 5,000 pages a day.

University Vice-Chancellor Tata Narasinga Rao, Registrar M. Bhupathi Naidu and Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) Vice-Chairman S. Vijayabhaskar Rao formally inaugurated the ₹23 lakh-equipment at the institute’s premises on Thursday.

Mr. Narasinga Rao called it a major step towards the preservation and propagation of ancient knowledge, in addition to a boost for oriental research. He hailed the ORI as a jewel in the crown of the faculty of Arts. The facility was launched with the funds provided to the varsity under RUSA 2.0.

Mr. Vijayabhaskar Rao pointed out that no university in the State possessed such an advanced scanner that could scan multiple manuscripts and pages within seconds, whether it is in colour or black and white. He expressed hope that the facility would be used properly to scan the old books and safeguard them in the digitised format.

ORI Director P.C. Venkateswarlu, Dean Damodar Reddy, Arts College Principal Bhaskar Reddy and RUSA Coordinators K.V. Sucharitha and Balaji were present.

Published - August 13, 2026 09:09 pm IST