Muslim girl tops MA (Sanskrit) exam

BD Kasniyal

Pithoragarh, August 10

Zainab Fatima, a Muslim student who topped the MA (Sanskrit) final examination of Kumaon university, wants to do research in the Vedas and share their wisdom and knowledge with her community members. She says the secrets of life are hidden in the Vedas. “When we can study English in India, why not Sanskrit?, asks Fatima, a resident of Jaspur town of Udham Singh Nagar district.

Fatima says she started studying Sanskrit from Class VI though no body knew the language in her area. Sometimes, she had to face sharp queries from her relatives for taking up Sanskrit as a subject. “My father always supported me and encouraged me to study the language. It is because of his support that I have topped the MA (Sanskrit) exams in Kumaon University the results of which were declared on Wednesday,” adds Fatima.

Her relatives also discouraged her from studying beyond intermediate. She had to leave regular study and pursue education as a private student. However, her father Shamshad Husain, who runs a shop of repairing pressure cookers and stoves in the Kashipur market, encouraged her to pursue studies.

Fatima has also qualified C-TET and U-TET after B.Ed. At present she is teaching in a school in Jaspur town. Teachers who guided her say she is a brilliant student and though she was appearing as a private student she always remained in touch with her guides. “She is a brilliant student and will excel further in Sankrit studies. She wishes to do Ph.d in Sanskrit. I hope she understands the rhythm of the Vedas and share their wisdom and knowledge with the community around her,” says Dr Vinay Vidhayalankar, teacher of Sanskrit at MB PG College at Haldwani.