Uttarakhand government launches initiative to promote Sanskrit education and employment

With the goal of promoting Sanskrit as a widely spoken language in Uttarakhand, the state government announced on Thursday a plan to teach one lakh people the language through classroom and online modes.

Sanskrit, the second official language of the state, will be taught in phases, with the government also working on creating job opportunities for youth who learn the language.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami outlined the government's efforts, calling for the introduction of certificate courses in 'yagya', Hindu rituals, and Vedic recitation. Additionally, the CM instructed that nodal officers be appointed in each district to facilitate the promotion of Sanskrit.

During the 10th general body meeting of the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy, Dhami proposed that arrangements be made to better train children in the 16 traditional sanskars (sacraments) for those studying Sanskrit. “In the first phase, 100 children, and thereafter, every year by setting a target, the youth should be given training in the same.

Also, competitions will be organized to make short films on various contemporary topics in Sanskrit along with schools organizing debates, essay writing, and shlok-writing competitions in the language,” said the CM.

He also emphasized that those who play an important role in teaching, writing, preserving, and promoting Sanskrit should be honored monetarily. Additionally, he proposed that nameplates in all government offices be displayed in Sanskrit.

Sanskrit Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat shared that the government is in the process of establishing 13 Sanskrit villages, one in each district, and plans to expand this initiative to the block level in phases. He also suggested introducing scholarship schemes for Sanskrit students and providing incentives for priests to promote the language.

Rawat further recommended adding Sanskrit-related questions to competitive exams and stressed the importance of encouraging research in the language.

Chief Minister Dhami further emphasized the need to connect youth with employment through Sanskrit. "Certificate courses should be offered in Yagya, Karmkand, and Vedas," he stated.

In the meeting, he reiterated the importance of training children in Sanskrit and proposed the monetary recognition of those contributing to the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit. Dhami also emphasized Uttarakhand’s cultural significance as the land of Yoga, Ayurveda, saints, and Sanskrit. He proposed organizing Sanskrit debates, essay writing, and Shloka recitation competitions in schools and colleges to promote the language.

As part of the effort to promote Sanskrit, Cabinet Minister Dhan Singh Rawat revealed that 13 villages will be developed as Sanskrit villages, with one village in every district. He suggested offering scholarships to students and incentive schemes for priests to further the promotion of Sanskrit across the state. Committee members also recommended adding Sanskrit-related questions to competitive exams and promoting research in the language.