‘Sanskrit represents Indianness, innate emotions, scientificity & Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’
Three-day Utkarsh Mahotsav organized by Central Sanskrit University in New Delhi proved to be an epoch making exercise. The objective of this Mahotsav is to promote Sanskrit language across the country and beyond, reflecting Prime Minister Modi’s strong commitment to preserving and promoting Sanskrit- the language of Vedas and other Hindu scriptures. Three Sanskrit universities- the Central Sanskrit University in New Delhi, Shri Lal Bahadur National Sanskrit University in New Delhi and the National Sanskrit University in Tirupati are working tirelessly on this mission.
How much importance Sanskrit education is receiving from the government, can be better understood from the speech of the education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, when he says- ‘Sanskrit is not just a language, it is an emotion. Our knowledge and wisdom are our wealth. The onus is on all of us to take our civilization forward for centuries and achieve the ideals of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
As envisaged in the National Education Policy, the Government has given importance to all Indian languages including Sanskrit. Pradhan said, ‘Sanskrit has a great contribution in unifying various Indian languages and Sanskrit Universities will move towards becoming large multidisciplinary institutions of higher learning.’
From the time of Hiuen Tsang to Raisina Dialogues held only recently, the spontaneity, modernity and scientificity of Sanskrit need no proof. Sharing his thoughts on the revival of the Sanskrit- the language of the Vedas, Pradhan said that Indianness is associated with Sanskrit and the language based education system. The Minister hoped that the deliberations held during the ‘Utkarsh Mahotsav’ will show the roadmap for the education system of 21st century to make India self-reliant and pave the way for global welfare.
The Government is promoting Sanskrit through three Central Sanskrit Universities and 17 Central Universities in which separate Sanskrit Departments are established. Central Sanskrit University, Delhi popularizes Sanskrit at all levels through its Headquarters at Delhi with its 12 campuses, 26 Adarsh Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya/Adarsh Shodha Sansthan (ASM/ASS) and 62 grantee affiliated institutions.
Apart from promoting Sanskrit language through teaching, the government also implements a large number of schemes through Central Sanskrit University, Delhi like establishing Adarsh Sanskrit Vidyalayas/Mahavidyalayas /Shodha Sansthans, conducting competitions amongst people of all ages, providing financial assistance to scholars, felicitating senior scholars with cash awards through Shastra Choodamani and engaging them as referral scholars, giving Presidential awards to eminent as well as young scholars etc.
Sanskrit had been the language of sciences such as mathematics, astronomy and medicine in pre-modern India. Knowledge of Sanskrit is essential since virtually all pre-modern Indian scientists such as Caraka, Susruta, Āryabhaṭa, Varahamihira, Bhaskara II, and Mādhava composed their scientific treatises in Sanskrit. However, the need of the hour is qualified teachers who can make Sanskrit language learning enjoyable.
