ICCR to help Uttarakhand promote Sanskrit education globally

Haridwar: Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) will help Uttarakhand promote Sanskrit education globally and create employment opportunities for Sanskrit scholars, according to a state govt statement issued after a Uttarakhand delegation, led by Sanskrit education secretary Deepak Kumar, concluded a series of meetings in New Delhi from June 1 to 3.

ICCR has agreed to promote three-month and six-month online certificate courses developed by Uttarakhand Sanskrit University, Haridwar, including programmes on rituals, astrology and Indian culture. These courses are expected to attract international learners.

The delegation also finalised plans with the ministry of external affairs (MEA) to organise World Meditation Day in Haridwar on Dec 20 and 21, this year. MEA has agreed to explore overseas employment opportunities for Sanskrit scholars and assist in translating important Sanskrit texts into foreign languages. The delegation also submitted a research project on Rajmata Ahilyabai Holkar for central funding.

Kumar told TOI, “The ministry will also sponsor a global seminar in Haridwar to mark the birth centenary of eminent Sanskrit scholar Pandit Dinesh Joshi of Almora, who played a key role in making Sanskrit the second official language of Uttarakhand.”

The Union ministry of education has agreed to digitise the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Education Council in Dehradun. The delegation also held discussions with the ministry of electronics and information technology on launching AI-based Sanskrit projects under IndiaAI Mission and providing specialised technical training for Sanskrit teachers and students.