Sanskrit Educational Ecosystem in Gujarat

By Parimal Nathwani: Gujarat has a rich and distinguished legacy of Sanskrit learning. Today, however, the challenge is not merely to preserve this legacy but to build a vibrant, accessible and contemporary Sanskrit educational ecosystem that connects traditional scholarship with modern educational opportunities.

An important institution in this journey is Shri Brihad Gujarat Sanskrit Parishad. Established in 1946 for promoting traditional Sanskrit learning, assisting students of Sanskrit pathshalas and encouraging school students to study the language. Its history offers valuable lessons on how voluntary institutions can contribute to the development of an educational movement.

The Parishad developed a graded system of Sanskrit examinations, creating opportunities for students to pursue structured learning alongside conventional education. Its examination network connected schools, colleges, pathshalas and other educational institutions, helping bridge traditional Sanskrit learning and the modern education system.

The Parishad also organised lectures, seminars, elocution and essay competitions, Vedic and Bhagavad Gita recitation, Sanskrit drama, storytelling, shloka-gāna and other activities. Such initiatives reflected an understanding that Sanskrit should not remain confined to textbooks or examinations; it should be experienced as a language of expression, literature, philosophy and cultural creativity. Its historical importance is further underlined by the Gujarat Government’s Resolution of 19 October 1985 recognising specified Parishad qualifications as equivalent to certain modern educational qualifications. These included Prathama to SSC, Madhyama to HSC, Shastri to graduation, Acharya to postgraduation and Shiksha Shastri to B.Ed. The validity and applicability of these equivalences, however, were withdrawn later on for some reasons; is a different thing. 

In nutshell, the little backing and moral support from the Government of Gujarat could create wonders in strengthening Sanskrit learning in the State. What Parishad needs is recognition. What Parishad wants is the Government of Gujarat directing the schools across Gujarat to enrol more and more students to appear in Parishad run examinations which are intended to enlighten the young minds about the ancient Indian classical language. 

Gujarat’s Sanskrit ecosystem has evolved considerably since the Parishad was established. The State now has the Gujarat State Sanskrit Board, Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, Sanskrit departments in universities, traditional pathshalas and gurukuls, and other institutions engaged in teaching and research.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 also provides an important policy framework for strengthening Indian languages including Sanskrit. Together, these developments offer an opportunity to make Sanskrit education more accessible to schoolchildren, teachers and interested learners.

The Parishad that once played a significant role in Gujarat’s Sanskrit education needs to be revitalised and integrated more closely with the State’s contemporary educational framework. The Parishad, on its part, still working on introducing students to the language in an engaging manner. Spoken Sanskrit, storytelling, drama, music, recitation and even Sanskrit garba and translation of certain film songs in Sanskrit do make learning participatory. 

Digital platforms offer another opportunity. Digitising educational material, publications and historical records, alongside developing online courses and examination facilities, could extend the Parishad’s reach beyond its existing network. The State Government and the Union Ministry of Education could also examine the Parishad’s eligibility for appropriate Sanskrit education. Academic collaboration with Shree Somnath Sanskrit University and other recognised institutions could strengthen the overall Sanskrit ecosystem in the State without diminishing the Parishad’s voluntary character.

The central question is therefore how effectively Gujarat can carry its knowledge tradition into the future. The Brihad Gujarat Sanskrit Parishad, could become a valuable bridge between heritage and contemporary education. Gujarat has the institutions, the intellectual tradition and the policy opportunity to do it. What is needed now is a coordinated effort to transform these strengths into a sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking Sanskrit educational ecosystem.

(Rajya Sabha Member, Parimal Nathwani is the Chancellor of the Brihad Gujarat Sanskrit Parishad and Director, Corporate Affairs of RIL)