Date:30/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/30/stories/2006053015350300.htm

Kerala - Alappuzha

Training course for Sanskrit teachers

Staff Reporter

ALAPPUZHA: The Viswa Samskrita Prathishthanam, which aims to train Sanskrit teachers from across the State in a Sanskrit-speaking course formulated by the organisation, will hold the Samskrita Prasikshana Shibiram at Alappuzha S.D. College from June 1 to 10, the organisers have said.

The course aims to enable students speak Sanskrit in 10 days, K.P. Hegde, chairman of the reception committee, said. He said the aim of the course was to popularise Sanskrit as the lingua franca of Indians.

Sanskrit language and culture were being misinterpreted, Alappuzha Rajasekharan Nair, publicity convener of the Shibiram, said. He said there was a belief that propagation of Sanskrit was against the interests of the Backward Communities and women. In fact, popularisation of Sanskrit would help in the uplift of the poorer sections of society, Mr. Nair said. He said Sanskrit was a catalyst for national integration.

Alappuzha MLA K.C. Venugopal will inaugurate the Shibiram at a function at 10 a.m. on Thursday. Pratishthanam State vice-president M.P. Unnikrishnan will preside over the function.