Kerala gives its past a legal guardian – will the law hold against neglect?

Synopsis: The recent passage of the Kerala Public Records Bill, 2023 has for the first time established a legal framework to preserve the state’s historical and administrative records. The legislation mandates record-keeping across government institutions, sets up structured archival systems, and introduces penalties to ensure compliance, while also allowing the acquisition of private collections. Experts caution, however, that the bill’s effectiveness will depend on adequate implementation, given the State Archives Department’s longstanding issues with staffing, infrastructure, and preservation practices.

In an era racing ahead with digital footprints, the yearning to trace one’s past remains timeless.

For Kerala, a land once divided into princely states and shaped by encounters with