The first state-level Sanskrit Week festival was held recently at the Gandhinagar Town Hall in Gujarat. The event was attended by various officials, including the Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat. He highlighted the importance of Sanskrit, describing it as more than just a language. According to him, Sanskrit is the essence of Indian culture. It is the language of ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and great epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana.
During the event, the Governor reminisced about the ancient Gurukul education system in India. He noted that the education system was so strong that it was hard to find uneducated people. Children were sent to Gurukuls at a young age to learn. This system was a hallmark of ancient Indian society, focusing on educating every citizen.
The Governor also pointed out that during the colonial period, there was a systematic effort to destroy Indian knowledge systems. The Gurukul system was dismantled, and Western education methods were imposed, which pushed back the rich Vedic and Sanskrit-based knowledge systems.
He mentioned significant contributions from ancient Indian scholars, such as the decimal system, the concept of zero, and accurate astronomical calculations. While Europe faced severe punishments for speaking the truth, Indian Vedic science was flourishing at its peak.
In his speech, the Governor praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote Sanskrit. He stressed the importance of including Sanskrit as a mandatory subject in schools and organizing events like the Sanskrit Week. He called for a collective effort to connect future generations with the wisdom of ancient texts like the Gita, Vedas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana.
The Education Minister, Kuberbhai Dindor, also spoke at the event. He described the Sanskrit language as beautiful and essential for knowledge and culture. He mentioned that this was the first time since 2020 that the Sanskrit Week was being celebrated in the state, and the Sanskrit Board was making efforts for the language’s overall development.
Events promoting Sanskrit were organized across the state from August 6 to 12. Citizens, teachers, students, and officials participated in these activities. The goal was to encourage learning and understanding of the Sanskrit language among the people of Gujarat.
Education State Minister, Prafulbhai Panseria, described Sanskrit as the ‘divine voice’ and the ‘soul of the nation.’ He noted that speaking Sanskrit could balance hormones and bring joy to the mind. He congratulated the Gujarat Sanskrit Board for their efforts to spread Sanskrit to more citizens.
The chairman of the Gujarat Sanskrit Board, Himanshu Paliwal, welcomed everyone and shared details about the board’s activities. During the event, officials from the education department who contributed significantly to promoting Sanskrit were honoured. The Governor also inaugurated the Gujarat Sanskrit Board’s website, highlighting the board’s commitment to reviving and promoting the language.
The event was attended by many dignitaries, including senior officials from the education department and representatives from educational institutions. This festival marks a significant step in promoting Sanskrit in Gujarat, aiming to connect the rich heritage of Indian culture with the younger generation. The efforts made during this week are hoped to inspire a renewed interest in this ancient language, ensuring that its legacy continues for future generations.