Nagpur : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday announced plans to establish ‘Sanskrit Academy’ in Maharashtra. The announcement came during the release of Sanskrit book ‘Bharat Ratna Manjari’ penned by Jayram Vyankatish Pallewar at Dr Hedgewar Smriti Bhavan in Reshimbagh.
Though he didn’t dwell much on the plans, sources from to Ramtek-based Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University informed that it would be on the lines of Sahitya Akademy, which was dedicated to promotion of literature in the languages of India.
The proposed Sanskrit Academy would promote ‘language of gods’ by conducting national and regional workshops, providing research grants, publishing books and journals and conferring awards and fellowships. It would also have its own library.
During the function, the CM gave his assent for any financial support to Ramtek-based university for extending and promoting Sanskrit language. He declared that State Higher and Technical Education Department would be setting up Sanskrit BEd colleges all over the state which would be affiliated to the Sanskrit University. The government had already allotted 50 acres to the university at Kaldongri on Wardha Road for setting up its sub-centre in Nagpur. An international study and research centre for scholars would be set up there along with postgraduate departments.
Citing statistics, the CM said before the British invaded India, the country had 1,230 Sanskrit schools in which over 1.80 lakh students studied. “We also had 742 colleges which taught Sanskrit,” he added.
Vice-chancellor of Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Uma Vaidya said if Sanskrit language is declared or named as national language than it would be beneficial for the country.
Other guests included Dinesh Kamaat, minister of Akhil Bhartiya Sangathan, and S Devpujari, chief of promotion of Sanskrit language.
Source : Times Of India
