Pune, 9 July 2012

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today called for an urgent need to make the Sanskrit language user-friendly with a view to promoting it among the masses and let the knowledge contained in the scriptures go global.

He listed steps undertaken by his government in this direction like setting up Sanskrit University at Somnath, training one lakh persons conversant in Sanskrit and starting a course in temple administration for the priests. The Vedic Mathematics could also be taught best in Sanskrit.

Mr. Modi was speaking as chief guest at a function at Pune to felicitate Sanskrit scholar Vasant Anand Gadgil, founder of Pune-based Sharada Dnyan Peetham. Pandit Gadgil, aged 82, was felicitated by 82 organizations for completion of 61 years service to the language and literature.

Mr. Modi said that although Indian attained Independence it continued to live as slave. He regretted this long neglect of India’s rich culture and heritage contained in Sanskrit literature. It is high time we change our lackadaisical attitude towards the priceless treasure.

He lauded the contribution of Pandit Gadgil in the promotion of Sanskrit language and literature. The nation should take inspiration from such Sanskrit scholars as Pandit Gadgil of Maharashtra and Ke Ka Shastri of Gujarat.

Mr. Modi also released the epic ‘Bheemayanam’ on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s life and time, written by Dr Prabhakar Joshi and published by Sharada Dnyan Peetham.

Responding to the felicitation, Pandit Gadgil said that Indian culture and traditions have evolved from Sanskrit. He expressed a desire to publish a biography of Narendra in Sanskrit.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included scholars Patangrao Kadam, G.B. Deglurkar, Sadanand Phadke, Vishwanath D Karad, D.D. Patil,Dipak Tilak, Mayor Vaishali Vankar, Vishwajit Kadam.Rahul Karad and founders and directors of 60 institutes of Pune.