CLASS-006. PAST 2025-2026
Record Group
Identifier: CLASS-006
PAST is a grant program to preserve diverse histories of science and technology in contemporary India, with a focus on archival material relating to marginalised and under-represented histories. The call for proposals was open between Oct 1 2024 - Nov 15 2024. Eight projects completed the first Program for the Archiving of Science and Technology (PAST) 2025-26, and the projects were made accessible to the public in February 2026. This program is thanks to generous funding from Arcadia, a charitable foundation that works to protect nature, preserve cultural heritage and promote open access to knowledge. For details on program and projects, please visit our website: https://archives.ncbs.res.in/past. Grantees are listed in alphabetical order, by grantee name:
(1) Advanced Media Production: "History of Media Technology from a Jungle of Meaning": Audiovisual media industry in Delhi from the early 1970s to 2000, creating an experience of practice ignored in discussions about histories of technology.
(2) Conservation indica: Pastoral Legacies: Digitizing Maldhari Heritage and Ecological Wisdom: Ecological histories drawing on the knowledge of nomadic pastoralists of Gujarat, including shifts in land rights, resource access, and conservation in Saurashtra.
(3) Labhopping Science Media Forum: Archiving histories of science from Mangalore (1890s–1990s): Archiving material sourced from individuals and libraries in Mangaluru, including scientific ecosystem of the region from the late 1800s to the late 1900s.
(4) Maharashtra Prabodhan Seva Mandal (MPSM): Knowledge among North Maharashtra's Indigenous People: Preserve traditional ecological knowledge held by the Adivasi communities of North Maharashtra
(5) Nature Conservation Foundation: Archiving Publications of the Bengal Natural History Society: Preservation and archiving of the publications of the Bengal Natural History Society, including documentation of wildlife in Eastern and Northeastern India.
(6) Partners For Law In Development: Archiving records of community action on women’s & queer rights: Preservation and archiving the material kept at the Feminist Law Archives (FLA), including histories of community interventions by SAHAJ on sexual and reproductive rights.
(7) Saythu…Linking People and Heritage: Saythu-Dohnavur: Collection of Collections 2025-26: Archives of the The Dohnavur Fellowship, southern Tamil Nadu, bringing in a relatively overlooked role in advancing STEM knowledge, around field-based research, experimentation and innovation in natural & environmental sciences, and climate-responsive architecture.
(8) University of Jammu: Preserving and Digitizing Marginalized STEM Histories of Jammu and Kashmir: Preservation, archiving and open access to rare archival materials from the University of Jammu’s libraries, focusing on the history of science and technology.
Found in 24 Collections and/or Records:
Bengal Natural History Society (BeNHS) Papers
Collection
Identifier: AR-005
Scope and Contents
The collection is divided into two series. The first covers the Journal of Bengal Natural History Society (JBeNHS) which was initially called Journal of Darjeeling Natural History Society (JDNHS). The second comprises other publications of the BeNHS and the Bengal Natural History Museum (BNHM). The material ranges from 1920s to early 2000s, with the majority of it between 1926-1970. The collection is in the form of paper and primarily has printed material including illustrated and...
Dates:
1926-2007, majority of material within 1926-1970
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
CENDIT Papers
Collection
Identifier: AR-015
Content Description
Archival material related to the work of the Centre for Development of Instructional Technology (CENDIT), an experimental AV media organisation based in New Delhi. The collection includes printed items such as training manuals, brochures, newsletters, audio-visual education guides, symposium proceedings, internal journals (Nigah, Clips), and technical booklets on low-cost printing and video production. Dated between 1974 and 1998, these materials document CENDIT’s engagement with community...
Dates:
1972-1998
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Shubha Gupta Collection
Collection
Identifier: AR-016
Scope and Contents
This photo collection, created by Shubha Gupta, covers her working life at the Centre for Development of Instructional Technology (CENDIT) from August 1974. After ten years at CENDIT, she became an independent film professional, producing and directing video films for various agencies in India and other countries in South Asia.
Photos from the mid 1970s show her at training sessions at CENDIT. Outdoor photos from the mid-1980s show her as part of a field crew along with a camera assistant....
Dates:
1975 to mid 1998
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Nirmal Gupta Photo Collection
Collection
Identifier: AR-017
Scope and Contents
This photo collection created by Nirmal Gupta dates from 1984 to late 1990s and features him at work in a range of studio and field settings. Several photos show him in his preferred role as a cinematographer, showing video equipment of the times and other members of the AV crew. Another set of photographs of him show him working on multi camera indoor shoots with live audiences, or with music / dance performances. A sequence of outdoor photographs show him with camera crew on a boat during...
Dates:
1984 to late 1990s
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Kailash Khati Collection
Collection
Identifier: AR-018
Scope and Contents
The Register contains notes compiled by Kailash Khati during his vocational training studies. It includes information on technical concepts, tables, formulas, question and answer pages etc. The content is handwritten in both English and Hindi.
The Diary contains notes compiled by Kailash Khati during his initial days at CENDIT. It includes technical concepts and other information relevant for his job and training. The content consists of diagrams, explanations, tables and handwritten notes...
Dates:
1980 to 2005
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Oral histories of technical personnel in Broadcast and Community Video
Collection
Identifier: AR-020
Scope and Contents
This oral history collection focuses on audiovisual (AV) workers who contributed significantly to the emerging video industry’s institutional ecosystems. Through interviews with technicians, maintenance staff, and camera operators associated with pioneering institutions as well as early independent production units, the project recovers often-overlooked perspectives from the foundational years of India’s AV industry. The topics explored include trajectories that transformed untrained...
Dates:
March 05 2025 to October 31 2025
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
St Aloysius Mangalore Collection
Collection
Identifier: AR-012
Content Description
The collection comprises printed publications from the institution, namely The Mangalore Magazine as well as some documents of archival value that were found inside these issues. The Mangalore Magazine started in 1897 as a quarterly, founded and edited by Fr John Moore, an Ireland-born Jesuit priest who was the Principal of the college from 1898-1904. It dealt with affairs of the town, activities at the college, notable alumni, as well as themes such as research into the history and culture...
Dates:
1897-1933
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
St Agnes Mangalore Papers
Collection
Identifier: AR-013
Scope and Contents
According to official sources, from 1930 to 1953 the college had hand-written magazines, however in 1954, the first printed version was brought out. It is the early issues of this printed magazine that have been archived in this collection. This collection comprises issues of ‘St Agnes College Magazine’ published at the university from 1954 to 1976. The magazines document prominent events of the year, activities of various departments, as well as articles by the students of the college on...
Dates:
1954 to 1976
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
MPSM Papers
Collection
Identifier: AR-007
Scope and Contents
The collection holds archival papers, photographs, literacy booklets, and weekly, some prepared by MPSM staff and published by MPSM. The material ranges from the 1960s to 2000s. The material is published in Marathi and Bhil language.
The collection is divided into 3 series.
Series 1: Publications
Sub- Series 1- Education
Sub- Series 2- Weekly Newspaper
Sub- Series 3- Articles written on Indigenous knowledge on Water and Environmental Practices
Series 2: Photographs...
Dates:
circa 1960 to 2000
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
SWRC Tilonia Collection
Collection
Identifier: AR-019
Content Description
The Social Work and Research Centre Tilonia collection is digital-native, received from the AV department and Library of Social Work and Research Centre, Tilonia (Rajasthan) . This material has been digitised by them in different times over 1980 and some originals are not accessible. These include materials created by the AV department for documenting various projects relating to social work and development, as well as internal department records of how Audio visual equipment were used and...
Dates:
1970 - 2000
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
The Science of Pastoral Life: Maldhari Oral Histories and Material Culture
Collection
Identifier: AR-009
Scope and Contents
The artifacts include a 1982 grassland lease agreement under the Ijara system that evidences local governance and grazing rights; a Gofan (catapult), historically used to deter wildlife from grazing herds; a wooden Kathu (camel saddle) reflecting traditional mobility practices; a pair of intricately enamelled silver Kaldiya (bracelets) worn by women during ceremonies; a handwoven wool Chunari (scarf) from Panchali sheep (indigenous breed), serving both functional and symbolic roles; and an...
Dates:
1925-2005
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Scientists, Policymakers, Activists, and NGOs for Nature and Wildlife Conservation
Collection
Identifier: AR-010
Scope and Contents
ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW: LALJI DESAI:
Description: This oral history records the life of a Rabari pastoralist and environmental activist from Gujarat. It reflects on his childhood in a pastoral household, involvement in water conservation projects in the 1990s, and decades of activism related to land, forests, rivers, commons, and grasslands. The narrative also explores his role in the Narmada Movement, its influence on other environmental struggles, and his contributions to forming national...
Dates:
1997 - 2007
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Darbar Collections
Collection
Identifier: AR-011
Scope and Contents
The collection has the oral history interview of Chatrajeet Singh, a Darbar community member. His interview explores traditional views on wildlife, landscape governance, and the historical transitions in land control and conservation authority from princely estates to state departments.
It also presents the second part of the archival records of the Chotila princely family, offering a rare window into the socio-political, economic, and environmental landscape of pre- and post-independence...
Dates:
1908 - 1998
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
University of Jammu Rare Books Collection
Collection
Identifier: AR-004
Content Description
The rare books collection is a multidisciplinary set of titles in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), acquired by Jammu University’s central and departmental libraries over several decades. The books cover foundational and advanced knowledge in subjects such as botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, geology, mathematics, and engineering. Many titles date back to the mid-20th century or earlier and include standard reference works, early textbooks, field survey reports,...
Dates:
1920s to 1960s
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
University of Jammu STEM Pamphlets and Papers
Collection
Identifier: AR-003
Scope and Contents
This collection brings together agricultural leaflets, pamphlets, and research papers published mainly between the 1940s and 1970s. Most were produced by the Directorate of Extension under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture now Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The leaflets were designed for farmers and give practical tips on crop cultivation, soil care, pest control, irrigation, and improved farming tools. They cover a...
Dates:
1950s to 1960s
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Million Voices Campaign
Collection
Identifier: AR-001
Content Description
The collection, 'Million Voices Campaign,’ consists of three series - ‘Banners with Comments from Million Voices Campaign,’ ‘Documents and Notes from PLD Workshops,' and ‘Handpainted Demonstration Posters from the Million Voices Campaign, 2009’. The first series, ‘Banners with Comments from Million Voices Campaign Workshops’ consists of six cloth banners with comments containing the first expressions from grassroots activists from the women’s rights and development sector on the...
Dates:
September 2008 - February 2010
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Society for Health Alternatives Papers
Collection
Identifier: AR-006
Content Description
The collection, Society for Health Alternatives Papers, consists of three series: ‘Women’s Health’; ‘Holistic Health’; and ‘Gujarati Publications.’ The publications have been co-created by SAHAJ and/or Renu Khanna in conjunction with organizations such as SEWA-Rural, Medical Mission Sisters, and Social Action for Rural and Tribal Inhabitants of India (SARTHI).
Women’s Health
This series consists of one sub-series, the Women Centered Health Project (WCHP), and one publication by...
Dates:
1989 - 2012
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Naraikadu Collections
Collection
Identifier: AR-027
Scope and Contents
The conceptual origin point for the material in this collection is Naraikadu, a spiritual retreat of The Dohnavur Fellowship (TDF) located in the mid ranges of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot in southern Tamil Nadu. The material is largely paper-based, a mix of handwritten, typed and printed, ranging from the 1900s to 2000s. It includes field diaries, field notes, sketches, log-books, books of songs, photos, slides, maps and graphs, all with information on the flora, fauna,...
Dates:
1900s to 2000s
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Dohnavur Collections
Collection
Identifier: AR-028
Scope and Contents
The conceptual origin point for the material in this collection is the main campus of The Dohnavur Fellowship (TDF) located in the foothills of the Western Ghats in southern Tamil Nadu. The material is largely paper-based, a mix of handwritten, typed and printed, ranging from the early 1900s to 1990s. It includes field diaries, field notes, sketches, log-books, books of songs, photos, slides, maps and graphs, all with information on the flora, fauna, biodiversity of this region and sustained...
Dates:
Early 1900s to 1990s
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Oral History Interviews of Vaidu
Collection
Identifier: AR-029
Scope and Contents
This collection presents eight oral history interviews conducted in the indigenous villages of Dindori and Peth in the Nashik region, documenting the lives and practices of traditional healers known as Vaidus. Serving as community doctors for generations, these healers possess inherited knowledge of medicinal plants, forest ecosystems, and natural treatment methods that align with what is today classified within ethnomedicine. The interviews explore their journeys into healing, traditional...
Dates:
03 July 2025 to 20 September 2025
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
Marie D'Souza Papers
Collection
Identifier: AR-022
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises the papers of Dr. Marie Dsouza, an ethnomedical practitioner, documenting her extensive work on indigenous knowledge systems among Adivasi communities in northern Maharashtra. The materials include field notes, projector slides with accompanying slide scripts, photographs, project proposals, financial records, draft manuscripts, and letters and publication. These documents offer valuable insight into the medicinal practices, healing traditions, and observations...
Dates:
circa 1980 - 1996
Found in:
Archives at NCBS
