Garhwal Post Bureau
New Delhi/Dehradun, 8 Jul: Uttarakhand Secretary for Sanskrit Education, Programme Implementation and Census, Deepak Kumar, met Mamta Verma, Director General of DD News and a senior Indian Information Service officer, at the DD News headquarters in New Delhi.
During the meeting, Kumar highlighted the Uttarakhand government’s initiatives to preserve, promote, and revitalise Sanskrit under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. He said the Chief Minister has consistently encouraged the wider use of Sanskrit and frequently quotes Sanskrit verses in his public addresses to inspire young people to connect with India’s rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
Kumar said Uttarakhand has established one Sanskrit village in each of its 13 districts to promote the language at the grassroots level and foster greater public engagement with Sanskrit. He described the initiative as an innovative effort to strengthen linguistic and cultural pride while reconnecting society with the vast body of knowledge created by India’s ancient sages and scholars. He also announced that a Sanskrit Film Festival will be organised in these villages and inaugurated by Lithuania’s Ambassador to India, Diana Mickevičienė, who is expected to interact with Sanskrit students during the event.
He noted that the Directorate of Sanskrit Education, Uttarakhand Sanskrit University in Haridwar, the Shri Raghunath Kirti Campus of the Central Sanskrit University in Devprayag, and the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy are playing a significant role in promoting Vedic knowledge and expanding Sanskrit education across the state.
Kumar urged DD News to introduce dedicated programmes showcasing the achievements and talents of students studying in gurukuls, traditional institutions, colleges, and universities across the country. He said students trained in the gurukul tradition possess exceptional knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads, and other classical texts, while also making responsible and innovative use of artificial intelligence and modern digital technologies.
Emphasising the need for greater representation of Sanskrit scholars in mainstream media, he suggested that DD News provide opportunities for qualified Sanskrit graduates to work as news anchors, correspondents, editors, producers, and content creators. According to him, such initiatives would encourage young people to pursue careers in Sanskrit journalism and media while accelerating the language’s wider promotion.
Kumar also acknowledged the contribution of Acharya Dinesh Chandra Joshi of Nainital district, crediting him with playing a historic role in securing Sanskrit’s status as Uttarakhand’s second official language. He noted that the Department of Posts recently issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honour. He added that the Government of India is observing Acharya Joshi’s birth centenary from April 11, 2026, to April 11, 2027, through commemorative and academic events across the country.
The Secretary further said that the Uttarakhand government is preparing a comprehensive directory of Sanskrit scholars in the state, which will include several senior and centenarian scholars who have made significant contributions to Sanskrit literature and education.
