Podium - SANSKRIT IN TODAY'S WORLD

Podium - SANSKRIT IN TODAY'S WORLD
By Dr V. R. Panchamukhi
The Hindustan Times
Saturday, March 13, 1999
The fact that Sanskrit language, the rules of its grammar and the shabdabodh are of great utility in the development of computer language has been acknowledged by many computer experts in USA and Europe.
Computer experts such as Dr Riq Briggs, Dr Vyas Housten and Dr David Lavin have written extensively bringing out the usefulness of Sanskrit language in developing computer software. There are also many Indian experts and institutions, like the C?DAC, which have been researching on this subject of the use of Sanskrit in developing computer software. We can go to the extent of putting out a statement that ?if you want to learn computer language then learn Sanskrit language.? However, this field has not received as much extensive support and development as it deserves.

Usefulness of Sanskrit literature for modern times can be demonstrated in two ways. Firstly, by unravelling the basic knowledge and wisdom that is contained in Sanskrit literature to the world, and by working out new theories and paradigms of knowledge that can be built on the basis of the principles laid down in Sanskrit literature.
Even though the knowledge of Ayurveda forms part of Sanskrit literature, there have not been many initiatives to demonstrate its validity to the modern world through modern means of validation and communication. The schism that exists between the traditional Ayurveda and the modern world, is responsible for the absence of pro-active initiatives for safeguarding the advantages of indigenous knowledge. The Ayurvedic world should establish R&D centres, adopt the modern approach of validation, pilot testing, etc and complete the paper work for patenting their unique formulations. For this purpose the institutional facilitation for preparing the traditional world to interact with the modern world and also facilitating patent registration, pilot testing and commercialisation need to be strengthened.
In order to eliminate the negative attitude towards Sanskrit from our midst, we must remove the fear that Sanskrit is a difficult language. In this context, the commendable work being done by a voluntary organisation called Sanskrit Bharati to conduct Sanskrit conversation classes deserves special mention. Such programmes should be conducted on an extensive basis in different parts of the country.
Here are five ways for bringing Sanskrit to the centre-stage of our cultural and intellectual pursuits.
o we should encourage basic research on the linkages that exist between Sanskrit and science and launch innovative activities to bridge the gap between Sanskrit and the Modern World.

o encourage research and debate the application of Sanskrit in the development of computer software for language processing.

o produce documentaries and TV serials in simple Sanskrit for telecast.
o set up computer based networking among Sanskrit institutions and Sanskrit manuscript libraries for improving the communications among Sanskrit scholars and researchers.The Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati, proposes to launch a SANSK-NET Software for this purpose. o finally, we should change the teaching methodology and launch innovative schemes for teaching people Sanskrit conversation.
(Excerpt from a broadcast talk by Dr V. R. Panchamukhi, Chancellor of the Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, Tirupati).
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Panchaang for 10 Phalgun 5104, Monday, March 1, 2004:

Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Uttarayane Moksh Ritau
Kumbh Mase Shukl Pakshe Indu Vasara Yuktayam
Ardr-Punarvasu Nakshatr Ayushman Yog
Gar-Vanij Karan Dashami-Ekadashi Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum
http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy http://www.hindu.org
http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the educational purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of this post may not have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works. o If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be read, considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name, current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number. o Posted for information and discussion. Views expressed by others are not necessarily those of the poster.