Sanskrit has Regained Popularity at Universities and Schools

MUMBAI, INDIA, November 4, 2003: The ancient language of Sanskrit has become prevalent once again at schools and universities in the country. At Mumbai University, this article says that the number of students registered for courses at the University's Sanskrit department has gone up from 175 to 260 in the last 4 years. Dr. G.P. Mahulikar, head of the University's Sanskrit department says, "I am amazed to see the kind of response from students. When I did my MA in 1975, there were around 10 students in the post-graduate class. Now, the number of students is 30." The number of students studying Sanskrit as part of a certificate or diploma program has also grown to full capacity. All age groups seem to want to learn the language as it opens up doors to study ancient epics and disciplines such as Ayurveda.

Dr. Kalplata Mahajan, a 56-year-old general practitioner says, "I learnt Sanskrit in school but could not pursue it as I took up medicine in college." Rajashri Barve, a Kathak dancer from Malad adds, "Since the language is also becoming popular in schools, there is a demand for Sanskrit teachers. That is another reason more students are learning the language." For Prasad Akolkar, a Ayurveda practitioner, the language will help her in understanding ancient Ayurveda.

The demand for learning Sanskrit has increased for three reasons; firstly it has become popular as an optional language in schools and Sanskrit teachers are in demand, secondly it is now offered as a course on the Civil Services examination and students usually score well on the test, and thirdly as students attempt to discover their roots by studying ancient Indian epics, the language of the literature is Sanskrit.