13 Jun 2013|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Prof. Kiran Walia calls for the revival of Sanskrit Language in the country during the inauguration of “ All India Youth Sanskrit Conference” at Amity University
“Most of the Indian schools promote rote learning of Sanskrit language as a result of which the interest to study Sanskrit for the sake of language itself is waning in students. More and more students are opting for Sanskrit for getting good scores. They don’t realize the real purport of the language; they chant shlokas and hymns without realizing the meaning behind them. This trend has to be put to an end,” stressed Prof. Kiran Walia- Hon'ble Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Women and Child Development and Languages while inaugurating first of its kind, a three day “ All India Youth Sanskrit Conference” organized by Delhi Sanskrit Academy and Amity from June 13-15, 2013 at University Campus, Sector-125, Noida
Applauding the private patronization of the mission to revive Sanskrit by Amity University and further, sharing her views Hon’ble Minister opined, “Sanskrit language has to be made relevant to the youth of the country with genuine interest and beauty of Sanskrit language has to be nurtured in them. Sanskrit language has kept alive Indian culture.” The language’s lost glory has to be restored and the interest for reading and writing Sanskrit language has to be re-kindled across the country and even proposed to conduct a research in order to assess it can be done in the country. Prof. Kiran Walia shared the idea of Delhi Government opening a “Sanskrit Library” to promote Sanskrit learning in the country. The Minister has proposed Delhi Government to provide computers to the students studying in Gurukuls and Vishwavidhyalas in order to bring them at par with their counterparts in other educational institutions.
Over 237 female and 263 male Sanskrit Scholars have registered for the Conference who will present their research papers on “Vedic Literature”, “Sanskrit Literature”, ”Jyotish Literature”, “Sanskrit Grammar” and others.
Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Shashi Prabha, Vice President, Delhi Sanskrit Academy shared that it is for the first time that such a conference has been organized where youth Sanskrit scholars and researchers would be given an opportunity to interact and present their work in front of the veterans of Sanskrit language. She revealed that over 500 Ph.D Sanskrit scholars from all over the country have registered for the Conference, which shows that the revival of Sanskrit language has already started in the country and the future of Sanskrit language is bright.
Addressing the gathering and dwelling on the importance of Sanskrit language, Dr. Ashok K Chauhan- Founder President, Amity Group opined that “Sanskrit language has shaped India’s Sanskriti, which in turn has nurtured Indian Sanskaars and values. Sanskrit, Indian Sanskriti and Sanskaars have the potential to change the world. He expressed with great conviction that in future, the change agents and leaders would be from Sanskrit Gurukuls and Vishvidhyalas.
Dr. Chauhan, in honor of the Chief Guest Prof. Kiran Walia, announced to set up Sanskrit Department in Amity University which would offer “Sanskrit” as a language to the Bachelors and Masters students. Dr. Chauhan also announced that soon a website would be designed and launched wherein the database of all the Sanskrit scholars attending the Conference would be created and it will act as a medium between the scholars and the educational institutions which require their assistance.
Swami Pranavanand –Principal, Gurukul Gautam Nagar (Delhi), while speaking during the occasion, said that earlier the end purpose of education was peace and happiness but now, it has become a source of earning and need satisfaction, resulting people are no more interested in pursuing “Sanskrit” which makes one aware of the rich culture, traditions and ethos of the country.. He called upon all the gathered Sanskrit scholars to cast aside their inhibitions and carry out research for the benefit of humanity. The end purpose of education should be the benefit of humanity.
Dr. Amita Chauhan- Chairperson, Amity International Schools and a great Sanskrit Scholar narrated how Amity International Schools are keeping “Sanskrit” language alive by making all students start their day with Shlokas and Matras everyday. Dr Amita Chauhan outlined the importance of “Gayatri Mantra” and stressed that continuous chant of Gayatri Mantra brings peace and prosperity. She called upon the youth of the country to read “Sanskrit” literature which has the potential to strengthen the eroding value system in the country.
Dr. Justice (Retd.) Mukundakam Sharma-Chancellor of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha stressed that Indian culture, civilization and ethos have their roots in Sanskrit. Sanskrit language is a repository of wisdom and knowledge. Ancient Seers of India have developed a language which links all the states since most of the languages are based on Sanskrit. He proposed that the vast literature of Sanskrit should be translated in modern Indian languages so that the wisdom inherent in the language could be passed on to the present generation youth who could immensely benefit from the same.
Also present during the occasion were Mr. Radha Vallabh Tripathi- Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthaan, Prof. Uma Vaid- Vice Chancellor, Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Nagpur, Maharashtra, Dr. Dharmendra Kumar- Secretary, Delhi Sanskrit Academy and other Sanskrit Scholars and researchers from all over the country.