Sanskrit upholding India’s cultural pillars: Governor

Varanasi: India's reputation is established on two fundamental pillars—the divine and revered language Sanskrit, and the rich tapestry of its culture, said Governor and Chancellor of state universities Anandiben Patel, here, on Thursday. "Sanskrit, being the celestial language and our national language, holds immense significance, so it is imperative for every ardent nationalist to undertake study of the language," she said, presiding over the 42nd convocation ceremony of Sampurnanand Sanskrit University.She said the quintessential lifestyle was delineated in ancient Sanskrit texts and these should be translated into Hindi to enable masses to reap the benefits.She mentioned the rare manuscripts in the Saraswati Bhavan Library of the university. "Preservation of these manuscripts is being carried out National Manuscript Mission, under ministry of culture and directives have been issued to procure computers for the exercise," she said, while urging the university's erudite scholars to publish concise books of Sanskrit words to promote the language.UP higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyay congratulated the students who won medals and advised them to become role models for society. UP minister of state for higher education, Rajni Tiwari, said preservation and promotion of cultural traditions and arts was in full swing with events like Sanskrit commentary on traditional Indian sports (gilli danda, kabaddi, kho kho) and editing and publication of rare manuscripts.Chairman of National Educational Technology Forum and National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Prof Anil D Sahasrabuddhe, said students from India and abroad came to the university for study and research. "This ancient centre of education has illuminated the entire world with messages related to religion, culture, and tradition," he said.Vice-Chancellor Professor Bihari Lal Sharma cited Chaturveda Swahakar World Welfare Yajna, preservation of rare manuscripts and protection of cultural traditions, emphasising the university's ongoing efforts to establish Sanskrit, culture and values on the global stage.Meritorious students were awarded 13,733 degrees (from Madhyama to Acharya and Vidyavaridhi) and 56 medals during the convocation ceremony. The degrees were displayed to the Chancellor through DigiLocker and uploaded online, allowing students to receive their transcripts and certificates from anywhere.The Governor also laid foundation stone for the Distinguished Guest House, funded by UP govt and gave awards to winners of essay writing, painting, story writing, and storytelling contests held in schools of five adopted villages. The winners included Monu Rajbhar, Sameer, Nishtha Seth, Neeraj Gautam, Shreya Shukla, Teerth Gautam, Shreyansh, Akanksha and Aradhana. Principals of the primary schools in these villages were also given mementos and gifts.The Governor also distributed sarees and kits to Anganwadi workers on behalf of district magistrate of Chandauli and Raj Bhavan. The kits included toys, school bags, towels, nail cutters, etc.