Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 1 Dec: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami today announced the formation of a high-level commission dedicated to the uplift and comprehensive development of Sanskrit. He made this announcement while addressing the International Sanskrit Conference in Haridwar today. A two-day conference, themed Indian Knowledge Tradition: Contribution of Sanskrit to the Development of Global Knowledge, has brought together scholars from India and abroad to deliberate on the language’s vast intellectual heritage. The CM observed that this conference showcases the illustrious roots of Indian civilisation on the global stage.
Dhami also shared his personal affinity with Sanskrit, recalling his studies of the language up to Class 9 and the enduring influence of its shlokas, grammar, and inherent sweetness of the Sanskrit language. The CM also described Sanskrit as the foundation of culture, knowledge, science, and tradition, noting its seminal role in shaping ancient civilisations. He emphasised that many global languages trace their origins to Sanskrit and highlighted that India’s ancient wisdom, from the Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads to Ayurveda, Yoga, Philosophy, Mathematics, Literature, Science and the Astronomy, was all composed in Sanskrit has enriched the world’s intellectual legacy.
Reflecting on the rising Western interest in Sanskrit during the 18th and 19th centuries, the CM observed that the historical universities such as Takshashila, Nalanda, Vikramshila, and Valabhi disseminated Sanskrit-based knowledge across continents. These centres produced luminaries like Charaka, Sushruta, Aryabhata, Bhaskaracharya, Chanakya, Brahmagupta and Panini. He asserted that Sanskrit is not only a scientific language but also a vehicle for ethics, human values and universal brotherhood, embodied in the ideal of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
Citing national efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dhami said the New Education Policy gives special importance to Sanskrit as a modern, practical language. He referred to digital learning platforms, mobile applications and online repositories that have made Sanskrit easily accessible, particularly to the youth. He also mentioned Mattur village in Karnataka as an example of how Sanskrit can thrive as a language of daily communication and welcomed the Central Government’s recent initiative to publish Sanskrit translations of Lok Sabha proceedings.
The CM also mentioned Uttarakhand’s legacy as a cradle of Sanskrit scholarship and reaffirmed the state’s commitment. He noted that Sanskrit has been accorded the status of a second official language in Uttarakhand. He also listed various government schemes promoting Sanskrit education, including the Gargi Sanskrit Balika Scholarship Scheme, which provides Rs 251 per month to girl students in Sanskrit schools; the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar SC/ST Scholarship Scheme offering similar support to SC/ST students; and the Sanskrit Student Talent Honour Scheme, which awards High School and Intermediate toppers with Rs 5100, Rs 4100, and Rs 3100. The CM added that outstanding students of Uttarakhand Sanskrit University and Shri Raghunathkirti Central Sanskrit University are also being recognised.
Dhami shared that the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy regularly conducts national conferences, Vedic and astrological seminars, skill development workshops for Sanskrit teachers, and various student competitions. He reiterated the government’s resolve to establish Model Sanskrit Villages (Adarsh Sanskrit Gram) in every district, enhance research assistance, expand support for students, and promote employment opportunities linked to Sanskrit learning.
The CM further asserted that it is the responsibility of Uttarakhand’s sacred land, which nurtured Vedic knowledge and sages to further enrich Sanskrit. He expressed confidence that Sanskrit would one day emerge not only as the language of rituals and worship but also as a language used in everyday conversation.
Haridwar MP and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, MLAs Adesh Chauhan and Pradeep Batra, State Vice President Swami Yatishwaranand, Foreign Secretary Meena Malhotra, Secretary Sanskrit Uttarakhand Deepak Gairola, Sanskrit University Vice Chancellor Dinesh Chandra Shastri, DM Mayur Dixit, SSP Pramendra Singh Dobhal were among those present on this occasion.
