After three-language formula, govt stresses on importance of Sanskrit-speaking villages

HRD Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' on Thursday said at least two Sanskrit-speaking villages must be developed near the central institutes promoting and preserving the language. Chairing a meeting with heads of central language institutions in the national capital on Thursday, Pokhriyal said these language institutions must be fundamentally strong and efficient.

In another meeting with vice-chancellors of central universities, the HRD Minister asked the universities to prepare a blueprint to improve rankings. He assured them full support. Pokriyal said all vacancies in language universities need to be filled to promote all Indian vernaculars. He directed ministry officials to meet heads of these institutions on a regular basis, adding that highly qualified Sanskrit teachers should be engaged to give new dimensions to the language.

Later, he stressed on the importance of creating at least two Sanskrit-speaking villages near institutions promoting and preserving the language. Minister of State, HRD, Sanjay Dhotre attended the meeting.

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The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha in Delhi and the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha in Tirupati are the three central institutes promoting the more than 3,500-year-old language. The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan has 13 campuses while state governments have their respective institutes.

Pokhriyal said literature in varied Indian languages must be translated into other languages so as to reach a large base of readers. He said in the coming years the ministry will establish 'Bhasha Bhawan', in which all Indian language institutes will have an office.

In the meeting with vice-chancellors, which was also attended by Secretary of Higher Education R Subrahmanyam, Pokhriyal reviewed the current practices at the universities, infrastructure, maintenance and human resource related matters.

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He expressed concern over vacancies and directed the UGC to develop a mechanism to fill them quickly, so that young generation may get quality education. He also urged that all universities should prepare a blueprint to improve rankings.

The minister hoped that by providing quality education and research, India can become world leader in the field of education. He said the universities should focus on skill-based and job-oriented education to overcome the challenge of unemployment in the country.

Meanwhile, Pokhriyal will be on a two-day Uttarakhand visit, starting on Friday. Pokhriyal, who was re-elected from Haridwar in the recent Lok Sabha polls, will offer prayers at Har Ki Pauri, said state BJP media head Devendra Bhasin.

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The former Uttarakhand chief minister will visit Kedarnath and Badrinath temples on Saturday morning, before going to the state BJP office in Dehradun, Bhasin said. This will be Pokhriyal's first visit to the state after the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls.