Central Sanskrit University: Globalizing Sanskrit Education & Linguistic Heritage
By Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor
Introducing the new National Educational Policy (NEP) in 2020, the government of India brought multiple transformative endeavors to the fore, including providing the necessary impetus for Sanskrit education as one of the mainstream subjects. However, the efforts of the government in reinforcing Sanskrit, its education, and its culture in the Indian and global landscapes are not a story of only 2020 but date back many decades.
It is one such act of parliament, the collaborative mission of the Indian government and the Sanskrit Commission that laid the foundation for the rise of an autonomous organization, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, in 1970, which later came to be recognized as Central Sanskrit University in 2020 under the Central Sanskrit Universities Act. Funded by the Government of India, Central Sanskrit University operates under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Since its inception, Central Sanskrit University has been efficient in preserving and propagating Sanskrit and its literary heritage through its network of 12 aesthetically-pleasing scenic campuses and 30 higher education institutes spread across the country. "œWe are not diversified, but we are unified through Sanskrit. As a nodal agency of the Government of India, we are connecting cultures, languages, and ideas while serving as a bridge between the past, present, and future," explains Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University.
Sharing the same principles, the university's affiliated institutions, otherwise called "˜Vidyapeeth', specialize in teaching Sanskrit language and literature at various levels, ranging from classes 6 to 9, higher secondary education, Shastri (graduation), Acharya (MA/ PG) to Vidyavaridhi (Ph.D/PG). Moreover, the diploma and certification programs further give the university an edge.
Adhering to the recent overhaul of NEP, Central Sanskrit University has deployed a standardized syllabus and expertly crafted content to achieve consistency in standards of pedagogy across the campuses under the guidance of all the faculty of scholars. Hailing from different regions, they are placed in different states and undergo multiple training programs, not just to provide quality education but also to stay current with educational technologies.
The three faculty development centers incorporated in Jaipur, Tripura, and Kerala give educators an additional advantage in honing their academic and technological skills. In fact, right from its administrative wing to its open and distance education institute, named Mukta Swadhyaya Peetham, all reflect the university's commitment to technological excellence. Started with 45 programs, this e-learning portal facilitates learning through Sanskrit-based curriculum, regular assignments, and self-learning materials.
The platform's efficiency is also exemplified in its milestone, in which it garnered the attention and registrations of around 8000 students from about 26 countries, just within a month of its launch, and is expected to reach a strength of over 1 lakh students within the next few years. Furthermore, both students who opt for online as well as in-person learning are endowed with access to learning management systems and a library, which comprises an extensive collection of over 28000 books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, and dissertations in Sanskrit.
"Central Sanskrit University prioritizes creating an environment where students embrace multiculturalism & linguistic diversity"
Central Sanskrit University prioritizes creating an environment where students embrace multiculturalism and linguistic diversity, which, according to Prof.Shrinivasa, is not a barrier but an opportunity for students to foster a national identity. The students, from different places in India, are enrolled centrally and distributed across the institutions based on merit, with a multitude of occasions to celebrate their respective language, literature, art forms, food habits and dresses, and knowledge systems.
"œOur students are generally well-versed in their mother tongue, Sanskrit, Hindi, English, and at least one additional language. Such multi-lingual skills equip our students to excel, not just academically but also in their professions as ambassadors of culture and languages in India as well as abroad," shares Prof.Shrinivasa.
The impact of Central Sanskrit University in promoting Sanskrit education is also evident in its active involvement with the government of India and ministries, primarily in the formation of national linguistic policies. The university is also collaborating with esteemed universities like IITs and IIMs, where it sends Sanskrit teachers to build new Sanskrit learning centers.
Working closely with the government of India, the university oversees around 30 schemes, with Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan actively supporting the initiatives.
With an A++ certificate from NAAC, Central Sanskrit University envisions broadening its influence and integrating Sanskrit beyond the professions of art and humanities. Emphasizing skilling and upskilling its students, the organization has introduced new disciplines like MSc in Yogic Sciences, integrated law programs, Hindu studies, and agricultural studies. "œEarlier, we used to work towards the preservation of Sanskrit studies, but now it can be expanded to the entire global education," opines Prof. Shrinivasa.
The university is also currently in the process of expanding its geographical presence by establishing a new campus in Prayagraj with support from the Uttar Pradesh government and has also made substantial investments in setting up a branch in Devprayag and hostels for girls and academic buildings in Tripura, in turn moving a step closer to its vision of establishing Bharat as a Vishwa guru in Sanskrit learning in a global context.
An award-winning Sanskrit scholar, commendable educator, and speaker, Prof. Shrinivasa has served in leadership roles as a Vice-Chancellor and acting Vice-Chancellor in various Sanskrit institutions in his career trajectory. Besides, he is also an active member of different committees, national and international academic bodies, award-selection committees, and visiting faculty. Having worked majorly in Sanskrit computational linguistics, he has around 30 research publications and prestigious awards to his accolades.
It is one such act of parliament, the collaborative mission of the Indian government and the Sanskrit Commission that laid the foundation for the rise of an autonomous organization, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, in 1970, which later came to be recognized as Central Sanskrit University in 2020 under the Central Sanskrit Universities Act. Funded by the Government of India, Central Sanskrit University operates under the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
The Proficiency
Since its inception, Central Sanskrit University has been efficient in preserving and propagating Sanskrit and its literary heritage through its network of 12 aesthetically-pleasing scenic campuses and 30 higher education institutes spread across the country. "œWe are not diversified, but we are unified through Sanskrit. As a nodal agency of the Government of India, we are connecting cultures, languages, and ideas while serving as a bridge between the past, present, and future," explains Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor, Central Sanskrit University.
Sharing the same principles, the university's affiliated institutions, otherwise called "˜Vidyapeeth', specialize in teaching Sanskrit language and literature at various levels, ranging from classes 6 to 9, higher secondary education, Shastri (graduation), Acharya (MA/ PG) to Vidyavaridhi (Ph.D/PG). Moreover, the diploma and certification programs further give the university an edge.
Adhering to the recent overhaul of NEP, Central Sanskrit University has deployed a standardized syllabus and expertly crafted content to achieve consistency in standards of pedagogy across the campuses under the guidance of all the faculty of scholars. Hailing from different regions, they are placed in different states and undergo multiple training programs, not just to provide quality education but also to stay current with educational technologies.
The three faculty development centers incorporated in Jaipur, Tripura, and Kerala give educators an additional advantage in honing their academic and technological skills. In fact, right from its administrative wing to its open and distance education institute, named Mukta Swadhyaya Peetham, all reflect the university's commitment to technological excellence. Started with 45 programs, this e-learning portal facilitates learning through Sanskrit-based curriculum, regular assignments, and self-learning materials.
The platform's efficiency is also exemplified in its milestone, in which it garnered the attention and registrations of around 8000 students from about 26 countries, just within a month of its launch, and is expected to reach a strength of over 1 lakh students within the next few years. Furthermore, both students who opt for online as well as in-person learning are endowed with access to learning management systems and a library, which comprises an extensive collection of over 28000 books, journals, periodicals, newspapers, and dissertations in Sanskrit.
"Central Sanskrit University prioritizes creating an environment where students embrace multiculturalism & linguistic diversity"
Central Sanskrit University prioritizes creating an environment where students embrace multiculturalism and linguistic diversity, which, according to Prof.Shrinivasa, is not a barrier but an opportunity for students to foster a national identity. The students, from different places in India, are enrolled centrally and distributed across the institutions based on merit, with a multitude of occasions to celebrate their respective language, literature, art forms, food habits and dresses, and knowledge systems.
"œOur students are generally well-versed in their mother tongue, Sanskrit, Hindi, English, and at least one additional language. Such multi-lingual skills equip our students to excel, not just academically but also in their professions as ambassadors of culture and languages in India as well as abroad," shares Prof.Shrinivasa.
Into the Present & the Future
The impact of Central Sanskrit University in promoting Sanskrit education is also evident in its active involvement with the government of India and ministries, primarily in the formation of national linguistic policies. The university is also collaborating with esteemed universities like IITs and IIMs, where it sends Sanskrit teachers to build new Sanskrit learning centers.
Working closely with the government of India, the university oversees around 30 schemes, with Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan actively supporting the initiatives.
With an A++ certificate from NAAC, Central Sanskrit University envisions broadening its influence and integrating Sanskrit beyond the professions of art and humanities. Emphasizing skilling and upskilling its students, the organization has introduced new disciplines like MSc in Yogic Sciences, integrated law programs, Hindu studies, and agricultural studies. "œEarlier, we used to work towards the preservation of Sanskrit studies, but now it can be expanded to the entire global education," opines Prof. Shrinivasa.
The university is also currently in the process of expanding its geographical presence by establishing a new campus in Prayagraj with support from the Uttar Pradesh government and has also made substantial investments in setting up a branch in Devprayag and hostels for girls and academic buildings in Tripura, in turn moving a step closer to its vision of establishing Bharat as a Vishwa guru in Sanskrit learning in a global context.
Prof. Shrinivasa Varakhedi, Vice-Chancellor
An award-winning Sanskrit scholar, commendable educator, and speaker, Prof. Shrinivasa has served in leadership roles as a Vice-Chancellor and acting Vice-Chancellor in various Sanskrit institutions in his career trajectory. Besides, he is also an active member of different committees, national and international academic bodies, award-selection committees, and visiting faculty. Having worked majorly in Sanskrit computational linguistics, he has around 30 research publications and prestigious awards to his accolades.