Sanskrit cell to be set up in IITs to research ancient science

New Delhi: A panel set up by the education ministry of Indian government recommended that all the premier engineering and scientific institutes which are running by the Centre including IITs should have a Sanskrit cell. This cell will help students study ancient literature related to their fields.

The panel also suggested that during the course of their study, students should be encouraged to opt for the internship in Sanskrit institutions for credit by these institutes.

The Panel chaired by retired IAS officer N Gopalaswami said,"If financial support is provided to such students their talent could be utilised in unravelling the scientific knowledge hidden in Sanskrit literature through small but focused projects."

The panel was given the task of constructing a 10-year roadmap for the development of the language. It recommended that the introduction of Sanskrit as an optional language in Undergraduate programmes and integrating it with other subjects will prove beneficial for the ancient language.

Panel's head Gopalaswami was the cultural and home secretary during the NDA government and then he was appointed to the election commission post his retirement. In 2006, he was promoted to the Chief Election Commissioner in 2006 as the senior most election commissioner.

The current government is carrying on the agenda of previous NDA government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A project has been undertaken by the IIT Delhi to introduce ancient language related courses for undergraduate students.

The study of science and technology in Sanskrit literature and inter disciplinary study of various modern subjects and its corresponding subjects in Sanskrit literature would be facilitated by the cell.

The Gopalaswami panel said, "Atharvaveda, Vaisheshika Darshana etc. are, it is acknowledged, the treasure house of scientific concepts which are hitherto studied from Science point of view. There are hundreds of works like Siddhanta Shiromani, Vriksha Ayurveda.., which are of great relevance in the context of research and innovation."

The panel suggested that model Sanskrit medium schools in every state should be set up. it also recommended that cell should offer students, various types of Sanskrit courses in the campus for the credit.(inputs from agencies)