"Dream, Dream, Dream! Conduct these dreams into thoughts, and then transform them into action."

- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

#Sanskrit

Star Citizens

Unveiling Hidden Talents: Muslim Teen Surpasses All in Sanskrit Exams

17-year-old Irfan, the son of farm laborer Salauddin from Chandauli district in Uttar Pradesh, has achieved remarkable success by topping the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Sanskrit Shiksha Parishad Board's Uttar Madhyama-II (class 12) exams with an impressive score of 82.71%. Irfan's achievement is even more notable as he is the only Muslim student among the top 20 scorers in both class 10 and 12 exams. Salauddin, a proud father, reminisces about his decision to enroll Irfan in the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Government School, motivated by his desire to provide his son with an education despite their financial limitations. As a farm laborer earning a meager daily wage, Salauddin could only afford a school with affordable fees, and the Sampurnanand Sanskrit school was their beacon of hope, with an annual fee ranging from Rs 400-500. Irfan's passion for Sanskrit blossomed from his very first day in school. Salauddin fondly recalls his son's unwavering dedication to his studies, never complaining about their modest living conditions or basic amenities. Salauddin firmly believes that language and religion should not be intertwined, emphasizing that anyone can excel in any language regardless of their background. As a graduate himself, he recognizes the importance of education and fully supports Irfan's aspirations. With a remarkable command of the Sanskrit language in both speech and writing, Irfan plans to pursue Shastri (equivalent to BA) and Acharya (equivalent to MA) degrees, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Sanskrit teacher. Irfan’s story stands as an inspiring testament to the potential that lies within each individual, transcending societal expectations in the pursuit of knowledge and dreams.

8 May 2023
Star Citizens

The Story of Mattur Nandakumara: How a Passion for Teaching Led to a Lifetime of Achievement

Mattur Nandakumara, a Sanskrit scholar, hailing from the village of Mattur in Shivamogga, has been chosen for the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). Nandakumara is an ambassador for India’s art, culture, and philosophy, and is recognized as one of the top 100 influential Asians in the United Kingdom. His journey to success is one of hard work and determination. Nandakumara started off as a Sanskrit teacher earning only Rs 475 per month. When he didn't receive his salary for the first eight months, he covered his expenses by giving tuition to students who needed help with Sanskrit. Teaching became his passion, and he was content with it. Nandakumara went on to do his Masters in Sanskrit, scoring 4th rank in university. He became a Sanskrit teacher at Raghavendra High School in Bengaluru. His love for teaching led him to fill in as a Kannada grammar teacher when there was a shortage and was very popular among the students. A French lady, Jenine Miller, who was studying the Vedas under him, offered to host Nandakumara if he intended to take up further studies in London. Almost at the same time, his uncle suggested that he do his Ph.D. in London. So, he travelled to London and completed his Ph.D. John Marr, his guide there, was a big influence on him. Nandakumara went on to teach Sanskrit at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in London and was appointed as academic director there later. He became the head of the institution after the retirement of his uncle. His immense efforts in shaping the Bhavan have been acknowledged by Sudha Murthy, who described him as a humble poet and scholar. Nandakumara's recognition and respect as an MBE recipient are well-deserved. He has created a unique homely atmosphere for Indian art and culture in London. He teaches a variety of art forms, including classical music, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, and Odissi. He even teaches Ramayana and Mahabharata on weekends. His journey is an inspiration to all those who believe in hard work, determination, and a passion for teaching.

26 Apr 2023
Star Citizens

An Indian Solves the 2500-Year-Old Impossible and Baffling Panini Code!

Dr. Rishi Rajpopat, an  Indian Ph.D. student at the University of Cambridge has discovered a solution to a grammatical problem in Sanskrit that has eluded Sanskrit scholars for 2500 years. In his thesis, "In Panini, We Trust: Discovering the Algorithm for Rule Conflict Resolution in the Astadhyayi, Dr. Rajpopat summarizes the discovery he made by deciphering a rule taught by Panini, considered the father of linguistics. Dr. Rajpopat claims that Panini had a brilliant mind, and he created a machine that was unparalleled in human history. He didn't expect anyone to modify his regulations. He said that the more we tried to tinker with it, the more Panini’s grammar tends to evade us. Now that Dr. Rajpopat has managed to decode the algorithm, Panini's so-called "language machine" can be used correctly. Rajpopat's finding enables the use of Panini's renowned language machine, widely regarded as one of the greatest intellectual achievements in history, to "derive" any Sanskrit word and create millions of grammatically sound terms. Panini's system is designed to function as a machine. Once you enter a word's base and suffix, a step-by-step process should produce grammatically sound words and sentences. Rajpopat's finding has a significant impact because, since the algorithm that powers Panini's language is now known, it may be possible to teach computers how to use it. Dr. Rajpopat revealed that some of the most ancient wisdom of India has been produced in Sanskrit. He believes that the discovery will infuse students in India with confidence, pride, and hope that they too can achieve great things.

17 Dec 2022
Star Citizens

Positive Reads

Ancient Indian Wisdom Meets Modern Education: UGC Proposes Incorporating Indian Knowledge System in Higher Education

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to revolutionize higher education curricula by incorporating the fascinating Indian Knowledge System (IKS). In a groundbreaking move, the draft guidelines propose that students be “encouraged” to explore the ancient Sanskrit text's insights into plastic surgery and Vedic astronomy. Even students of modern medicine will be nudged to delve into the secrets of the “Indian Systems of Medicine,” such as Ayurveda and Siddha.  This move aims to introduce students to IKS, offering them a comprehensive understanding of India as a knowledge-based society that can connect ancient wisdom with contemporary knowledge to create sustainable human communities. According to UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar, studying IKS will give students an understanding of how it can be connected with contemporary knowledge to find new perspectives on building sustainable human communities. The UGC has proposed that every student enrolled in a UG or PG program should be encouraged to take credit courses in IKS amounting to at least 5% of the total mandated credits. At least 50% of the credits apportioned to IKS should be related to a major discipline and accounted for the credits assigned to that major discipline.  Some of the other courses suggested in the draft guidelines include “splendid geographical isolation of India and the uniqueness of Indian culture”, “Ramayana and Mahabharata”, “Puranas”, foundational texts of Indian Philosophies, “including the Jaina and Bauddha”, and “foundational texts of Indian religious sampradayas, from the Vedic period to the Bhakti traditions of different regions”.  The UGC has also proposed courses on Indian astronomy, ancient records of the observation of the motion of celestial bodies in the Vedic corpus, and astronomy as the science of determination of time, place, and direction by observing the motion of the celestial bodies. The draft guidelines have been made public to receive feedback till April 30, and the UGC has sent the guidelines to universities and colleges for suggestions. If implemented, the proposal would equip students with a deeper understanding of India’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage and its relevance to contemporary knowledge systems.

16 Apr 2023
Positive Reads

This Online School is Transforming Education and Uniting Students Worldwide

Enter the world of Agastya Gurukulam, an online school like no other. A place where language appreciation, critical thinking, and ancient Indian knowledge systems are not just taught, but revered. Founded by three individuals with a shared ideology, this non-profit institution has grown to over 400 students from ten different countries, all eager to learn and expand their understanding of the world. But this is no ordinary school. Agastya Gurukulam teaches entirely in Sanskrit, a language that few have mastered and many have forgotten. Yet, the founders hold that a thorough command of Sanskrit is a prerequisite for a deep understanding of India's ancient knowledge systems. Through the study of Sanskrit, students are able to decipher historical mysteries and apply them to their areas of specialization. For parents around the world, Agastya Gurukulam has become a beacon of hope. Take the case of Supriya Shastry, who pulled her daughter out of regular school to homeschool her and due to lack of exposure to Indian culture,  turned to Agastya Gurukulam. And it was there that her daughter, Shriya Ashwin, began to learn about India in a spiritual way, connecting with her heritage in a way that she never thought possible. And now, with a brick-and-mortar structure in Bengaluru, India, and plans for another school in Houston, Texas by the year's end, Agastya Gurukulam is well on its way to spreading its message to students around the globe. Agastya Gurukulam is more than just a school. It is a place where ancient wisdom meets modern learning, where language is revered, and where critical thinking is celebrated. For those seeking a spiritual way of learning and a deeper understanding of India's rich cultural heritage, there is no better place than Agastya Gurukulam.

28 Feb 2023
Positive Reads

Good News

Global Sanskrit Conference to Be Held in Delhi in November

Sanskrit, an ancient language of India is considered to be the base of all Indian languages. With the intent to popularize the language, the Global Sanskrit Conference also called Vishwa Sanskrit Sammelan will be held in Delhi on November 9. The Global Sanskrit Conference will be a three day congregation held in Delhi and will be attended by Sanskrit scholars from 17 countries. The Venue The Global Sanskrit Conference will be held on November 9 at the Chhatrapur temple complex in Delhi. It is a three day congregation which will be attended by Sanskrit scholars from over 17 countries. It will also be attended by some top functionaries of the government. Confirmation is awaited by the PMO if Prime Minister Narendra Modi could inaugurate this mega event which will be attended by over 4000 delegates. Vice President  Venkaiah Naidu has been invited for the closing ceremony. The Conference The global conference is a mega event with participants from all over the world. It will be coordinated by a team of 42 members headed by union minister Harshavardhan. Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur will be honoured for his decision to make Sanskrit the state’s second language. The event will also be attended by 283 Sanskrit speaking families. With such events being held every year, one can hope that the Sanskrit language gains popularity and more people are convinced to take up this primary language which is the predominant language of most texts of Hindu philosophy as well as Buddhism and Jainism.

30 Oct 2019
Good News

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