Central Sanskrit University Bill

Archives

TOPIC: General Studies 2

• Government schemes and policies in Education and Preservation of Language

In News: Parliament passed the Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, which seeks to upgrade three deemed to be Sanskrit universities into central universities. 

The Bill, which was passed by Lok Sabha in December last year, was again take up for passage as it was amended by the upper house and passed with voice vote.

This bill will convert the following into into Central Sanskrit Universities:

(i) Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi

(ii) Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, New Delhi

(iii) Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati 

The Universities will: 

(i) Disseminate and advance knowledge for the promotion of Sanskrit

(ii) Make special provisions for integrated courses in humanities, social sciences, and science

(iii) Train manpower for the overall development and preservation of Sanskrit and allied subjects

Key powers and functions of the University include: 

(i) Prescribing courses of study and conducting training programmes

(ii) Granting degrees, diplomas, and certificates

(iii) Providing facilities through a distance education system

(iv) Conferring autonomous status on a college or an institution

(v) Provide instructions for education in Sanskrit and allied subject

Importance and uniqueness of Sanskrit and its literature

Sanskrit is a scientific language and a language of wisdom. The world is looking towards Sanskrit language therefore it is being taught not only in Indian colleges and universities but also in top universities of the world. Sanskrit is a gift of India for entire humanity and it will enhance the pride of India at global level.

Devnagari script is otherwise of Sanskrit only and informed that a lot of words in many Indian languages are derived from Sanskrit. Sanskrit language is not only a language but an identity of the great cultural diversity of this country and hence it is known as an unique language. Due to these factors, it has become imperative to promote the study and research in Sanskrit language.

Conclusion 

This is one of the landmark Bills passed by the Parliament which has fulfilled the aspirations and long standing wish of many sanskrit lovers, scholars and Sanskrit speaking people in the country. The Central University status awarded to these 3 Universities will enhance the status of these Universities and will give boost to Post Graduate, Doctoral and Post-doctoral education and Research in the field of Sanskrit and Shastraic education. This will pave way for many people from abroad to learn Sanskrit and Shastraic lore from these prestigious Central Sanskrit Universities in our country.  

Must Read:

Mother Language

Challenges of Non-Scheduled Indian Languages

Connecting the Dots:

1. Sanskrit was a ‘laboratory’ in ancient India but unfortunately it has become a ‘temple’ now. Comment. 
2. Why is it important to study the Sanskrit language? Discuss.