The idea is to impart basic knowledge about the language
All universities in the country may soon have centres
offering certificate courses in spoken Sanskrit, if the University
Grants Commission (UGC) has its way.
The UGC has suggested this idea to impart basic knowledge about the language among students, teachers, and the public.
Shrinivasa
Varakhedi, Dean, Karnataka Samskrit University, who has been appointed
to a three-member committee headed by the Secretary, Ministry for Human
Resources Development, said students were not showing interest to learn
the language. Lack of awareness about the importance of Sanskrit was one
of the main reasons for this, he said.
Mr. Varakhedi
said the committee had been asked to take up 22 schemes under the
grant-in-aid programme to help fund non-governmental organisations,
universities and other institutions.
Lecturers and
teachers engaged in teaching and training people in Sanskrit; and those
who run Sanskrit patashalas, conduct conferences, workshops, and
research institutes too would be offered help.
The
UGC had sanctioned Rs.100 crore two years ago for the scheme and this
had been increased to cover more institutions. The committee was
entrusted with the responsibility of identifying them and sanctioning
funds.
Even teachers and employees of universities and affiliated colleges would benefit from the programme.
Duration of the course would be 25 hours over a period of a month. No fee would be charged.
Student strength
The
maximum student strength could be 40, while minimum could be 30. The
UGC would provide Rs. 2 lakh a year to every centre and has already
sanctioned Rs. 1 crore.
Mr. Varakhedi said Bharatiya
Vidwat Parishat, a private e-mail group of 2,000 members comprising
vice-chancellors, professors, scholars and students across the country,
was providing information sought by the second Sanskrit Commission
chaired by Jnanpith awardee Satyavrat Shastri.
The
commission has 13 members, including P. Ramanujan, Associate Director
(Indian Heritage and Language Computing), C-DAC, Bangalore.
source:thehindu.com
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