Gupta in the course of his visit to Dhaka, gave a presentation on Strategies of Preventive Conservation of Manuscripts at the Bangladesh National Museum -- this included causes, how to ameliorate this menace and means of generating awareness.

According to Gupta, the two major culprits behind the deterioration of manuscripts are poor storage combined with mishandling and humidity. The need of the hour, he says, is to be aware of the damaging factors and then deal with them directly. More importantly, he says, is the necessity for a "sense of belonging" akin to the way we handle and preserve our holy books, be it the Koran, Bhagwat Gita or the Bible.

Gupta brings with him a wealth of experience in conservation. He points out that the government-run National Mission for Manuscripts has the mandate to save this valuable but less visible cultural inheritance.

The Mission has collected data on manuscripts and brings information on the subject to the public through lectures, seminars, publications and specially designed programmes for schoolchildren and university students.

Though the idea of lamination of sensitive documents has been floated around, Gupta is critical of this method of preservation. As he says, "Lamination may bring about change in the complexion of the paper, make it waxy to touch. Furthermore, the laminated material becomes stiff and not always reversible."

The programme was organised jointly by the Indian High Commission and the Bangladesh National Museum. Such events are welcome, says Professor Mahmudul Haque, director general of Bangladesh National Museum, since there is "a wealth of manuscripts in Bangladesh and the Museum."