Calls for preserving ancient wisdom and integrating it with modern technology and research
Governor Kavinder Gupta said that Sanskrit is not merely a language but the soul of India and the foundation of its civilisation, culture and rich knowledge traditions.
He was addressing the inaugural session of the two-day All India Sanskrit Bharati Seminar at K.B.V.M. Institute of Nursing, Malkwal, near Nurpur in Kangra district, today.
The Governor congratulated Sanskrit Bharati, the organisers and participants from across the country. He said that the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayana and Mahabharata have preserved and enriched India’s traditions of knowledge, philosophy, science, ethics and human values over thousands of years. He also appreciated Sanskrit Bharati’s efforts to take Sanskrit to the masses and promote it as a language of everyday communication.
Referring to the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Governor highlighted his decisive leadership in integrating nearly 562 princely states into the Indian Union and strengthening the country’s unity and integrity. On the occasion, the National Unity Pledge was also administered to the participants. He said that India’s history and education system should give due recognition to the contributions of ancient Indian scholars and scientists such as Aryabhata, Panini, Sushruta and Bhaskaracharya, as well as centres of learning like Takshashila and Nalanda.
Stressing the importance of preserving mother tongues, he said that their use in everyday life, particularly within families, was essential for their survival. He also highlighted Himachal Pradesh’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage, the influence of Sanskrit on its local dialects and the state’s status as the country’s second Sanskrit-speaking State language since 2019.
The Governor called for integrating India’s ancient knowledge traditions with modern technology, artificial intelligence, digital tools and scientific research to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat. He said that valuable knowledge relating to mathematics, astronomy, Ayurveda and other disciplines contained in Sanskrit literature should be researched rigorously and presented to the world. Urging universities and educational institutions to promote Sanskrit studies, research and innovation, the governor said that the young people should not view Sanskrit merely as a subject of examination, but embrace it as an integral part of their cultural identity and an invaluable treasure of knowledge. He added that tradition and modernity were complementary and their harmonious integration was essential for national progress.
Vice-Chancellor, Himachal Pradesh Central University Prof. Sat Prakash Bansal described the seminar as a living example of India’s unity in diversity.
