‘Sanskrit defines our cultural diversity’

Tribune News Service

Haridwar, April 19

As many as 170 research papers in various categories were read at the two-day international convention on Sanskrit language that concluded at the Dev Sanskriti University here today. Research papers were read in Ved, Literature, Philosophy and Grammar categories.

Addressing the concluding session at the Mrityunjay Auditorium, Pro Vice Chancellor of Dev Sanskriti University Dr Chinmay Pandya said Sanskrit is an ancient language, being mother of approximately 97 per cent languages worldwide.

“Sanskrit is not merely a language, but it’s a definition of the diversified Indian culture. We need to make it popular. Some Indian scientists working at the world’s leading space agency, NASA, used Sanskrit language, which speaks of its importance. There is a lot of scope for skill development and improvement in various aspects of life in Vedic literature written in Sanskrit language. The need of the hour is to make the younger generation learn Sanskrit so that they can read and learn the knowledge storehouse of Vedic scriptures,” said Dr Pandya.

Prof KK Chakraborty said in today’s time, degradation of spiritual and moral values is visible, which can be controlled only by making Sanskrit language a vital part of the education curriculum and social efforts such as those being undertaken by the Gayatri Shantikunj institution.

He pointed out that moral, spiritual and professional education being imparted to the Dev Sanskriti University students is one of the best modes of education, which fosters ‘guru-shishya’ tradition.

Former Sanskrit Department Head of the Himachal Pradesh University, Prof VK Mishra, said in development of the Indian culture, youths had a major role to play, for which, such conventions, workshops, forums and meetings bode well.

Dev Sanskriti Language Department head Prof Radhe Shyam Chaturvedi laid emphasis on Vedic literature, nationalistic and patriotic feelings, importance of women in Vedas, Kashmiri Shaiv Darshan and other related aspects.

Dr Gayatri Kishore, Prof Ved Prakash Shastri, Prof Jay Dev Vedalankar, Prof Satya Dev, Prof Man Singh and Dr Indu Tankeshwari, along with Sanskrit teachers, scholars, researchers and students attended the convention.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary also linked the degrading moral values and rise in crime with distancing of the common man from Sanskrit language. He cited that Sanskrit language makes one learn Vedas, Upanishads and other ancient scriptures, now almost an unknown entity for the younger generation.

“The youth today are well-versed with technology and western culture, but are lagging behind in moral values, Sanskrit language, our cultural aspects and Vedic knowledge. Today’s job-centric western education system has affected our society, younger generation in particular,” said N Ravi Shankar.