Timely congregation

FOR ALL those who wanted to ``delve deep into Sanskrit studies, in general, and researches, in particular'' an international exchange of ideas was made possible in early April. A World Sanskrit Conference was organised by the Ministry of Human Resources Development from April 5 to 9, at the Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. Packed with delegates from India and abroad, the conference was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, with a special address by the renowned German scholar, Dr. Frederick Wilhelm.

Around 900 delegates presented papers on diverse topics, starting from ``Saraswathi in Rig Veda'' to ``Sanskrit and Internet.'' Botany, Quantum Mechanics, AIDS, epilepsy, Ayurveda, Vedanta Sahitya, Drama, Ecology and Environment were some of the subjects discussed with productive perspectives. The paper on Bhaskaracharya's Arithmetic, for instance, suggested an innovative method of adapting our ancient Hindu mathematics at the primary school level for easier assimilation. The influence of Sanskrit on Indian and other world languages was traced by the participants who realised the importance of incorporating modern scientific information into the existing syllabus of Sanskrit studies. ``Human Rights in Sanskrit textual sources'' and ``Role of Sanskrit in preservation of wildlife biodiversity and environment'' were papers which identified contemporary concerns in ancient Sanskrit sources. There were a number of scholars from Chennai who made worthwhile contributions. Considerable emphasis was given to rare and unpublished manuscripts scattered all over the world and the need to catalogue these were stressed by Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan in her keynote address. The delegates spoke in Hindi, English and Sanskrit during the conference. There was an element of discord over the extensive use of English while teaching Sanskrit in the south as against the prevalence of Hindi in the North.

A Kavi Sammelan (poet's meet), dance, music and drama from various parts of India were some of the other activities which provided entertainment for the delegates. Although some scholars bemoaned the lost literary treasures, especially in places like Cambodia and Kashmir, the conference generally ended on an optimistic note. Resolutions were made by representatives from each state to popularise and propagate this hoary language of our land. Dr. Karan Singh in his charming, inimitable style commented on the need of the hour: ``While invoking Goddess Saraswathi in the beginning, let us invoke Goddess Lakshmi in the end. She alone can help us, not only in preserving the treasure house of Sanskrit that we possess but also to spread it throughout the world.''

The valedictory speech by the former President, Mr. R. Venkataraman and Dr. Karan Singh's special address provided the right concluding note to this conference which drew world attention to the importance and usefulness of the Sanskrit language.

SITA SUNDER RAM & PREMA SRINIVASAN

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