Promote Sanskrit as global language: Maharashtra Governor

Describing Sanskrit as the "mother of Indian languages" and repository of wisdom in many disciplines, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari yesterday called for making efforts to promote it among the youth and students as a 'world language'.

"Merely singing praises of Sanskrit will not suffice to preserve and promote the language. We must bring the language into practical use," urged the Governor while inaugurating a national webinar on ‘Sanskrit: Origin of All Languages: It's Past and Present Relevance'.

Crediting the ancient language with keeping India united for many centuries, Koshyari said that the Sanskrit mantras are sung in all corners of the country, including at Rameshwaram, Jagannath Puri, Badrinath-Kedarnath and even at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu (Nepal), underscore the unifying character of the language.

The Governor pointed out that while many modern European languages have literature dating back to only 500 years, Sanskrit has literature dating back millennia.

Koshyari also appealed to scholars to undertake research about the science of sound and music associated with the Sanskrit language.

The webinar was organized by the School of Language and Literature of the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Solapur University (PAHSU).

Among those who attended the webinar included PAHSU Vice-Chancellor Mrinalini Fadnavis and Pro-VC Debendranath Mishra, Kavi Kulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University Vice-Chancellor Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Deccan Deemed University Acting V-C Prasad Joshi, 800 principals, teachers and students from across the country..