International webinar on restoration, safeguarding and preservation of manuscripts and other historic cultural materials affected by the recent devastating floods in Assam
Several districts in upper Assam on the South bank of Brahmaputra suffered from an unprecedented flood in July, 2026. More than a hundred persons lost their lives as flood water submerged the banks of Dikhow river.
The floods have severely impacted valuable Sanchipat manuscripts, traditional masks, textiles, ritual objects and other historic materials, causing extensive damage through inundation, mud, moisture and biological deterioration. The loss extends beyond physical objects to the living knowledge, skills, traditions and community memories embedded within them.
Members of Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva rescued 101 Sanchipat manuscripts from under the silt and water. The rescue team visited twelve Sattra and Namghar for this. The conservation work of these manuscripts is now going on in the Cultural Heritage Centre of Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva at Dhing in Nagaon district. Royal Global University, Guwahati, Dr Binoy K. Bordoloi, Chairman, Naamghar Association of America, Cotton Collegiate Ex Students’ Group, 1976 and several well-wishers have extended generous financial assistance for this work.
A webinar has now been organised to highlight this great rescue and conservation work. ICOMOS India, in association with ICICH ICOMOS and partner organizations like Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, has organised this international webinar on the urgent challenges of restoration, safeguarding and preservation of manuscripts and other historic cultural materials affected by the recent devastating floods in Assam.
The webinar will provide an opportunity to share experiences of community-led emergency recovery and first-aid conservation, discuss challenges encountered in Assam, and seek international knowledge and professional guidance for restoration and long-term safeguarding. The methodology as well as history of conservation activities will be narrated by the heritage experts.
The panelists of the webinar are Mridu Moucham Bora, Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti and Ashim Dutta. We are glad that Dr Ángel Cabeza Monteira, President of ICICH will be present as special invitee. Opening speech will be delivered by Dr Rima Hooja, President, ICOMOS India and the concluding speech by Dr Mrinalini Atrey, Secretary General of ICICH. It will be moderated by Dilip Changkakoty. The link for registration is https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/UGip7ZAWSke-mbKH3bPSow#/registration
We warmly invite heritage professionals, conservators, scholars, cultural practitioners, community custodians and interested members of the public to participate and contribute to this important dialogue.
Date: 29 September 2026
Time: 3:30 PM IST | 8:00 PM AEST | 12:00 PM CEST
Platform: Zoom (Online)