Sanskrit Sansthan Upgraded As 'institution of national importance'

The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in New Delhi, a deemed university that promotes Sanskrit, is proposed to be upgraded into an 'institution of national importance' on the lines of the premier IITs and AIIMS.

The Vice chancellor of the Sansthan, P. N. Shastri said that, "The upgradation will grant us enhanced flexibility in the matters of affiliation and other benefits." A proposal in this regard is being actively considered by the HRD Ministry following the recommendation of the Second Sanskrit Commission.

The institute with its 11 campuses, 26 Adarsh Sanskrit mahavidyalaya and other mahavidyalayas spread across the country has over 20,000 students enrolled for various courses and obtaining training in tradition shastras like Veda, Vyakarana, Sahitya etc. The action for its conversion comes on the heels of sustained efforts by the NDA government to promote Sanskrit in educational institutes. Last year, German was replaced by Sanskrit as the third language in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools.

The 'national importance' status is currently enjoyed by institutes like IITs, AIIMS, some central and state universities as the government is also working towards conferring the status on IIMs. Talking about its forthcoming initiatives, Shastri said they would introduce diploma programmes in Ayurveda and Yoga likely from the coming academic session.

The institute is celebrating its fifth convocation day in New Delhi on September 29 and it will be attended by HRD Minister Smriti Irani.