MEDIA RELEASE: IGNOU Launches MA in Sanskrit Programme through ODL Mode

MEDIA RELEASE

IGNOU Launches MA in Sanskrit Programme through ODL Mode

IGNOU has launched a Master's programme in Sanskrit through Open and Distance Mode. The Programme was designed and developed with academic consultation and support of distinguished scholars in different disciplines of Sanskrit. The  students of any discipline after graduation can pursue Master's in Sanskrit with the flexibility of doing it through ODL Mode. Keeping in view the prevailing situation amidst Coronavirus (COVID-19) spread, the Launch was done through virtual mode via Google Meet and broadcast live on Facebook page of IGNOU and also live streamed through Gyan Dhara, the University's Internet based Channel. 

The launch had august e-gathering of eminent scholars in the field of Sanskrit language and literature  from across the country including; Prof. Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Vice Chancellor, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, Prof. (Dr.) Gangadhar Panda, Kolhan University, Jharkhand, Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Lakshman Jani, vice-chancellor, Maharshi Panini Sanskrit and Vedic University, Ujjain, Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi, Former Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Prof. Balkrishna Sharma,  Vice Chancellor, Vikram University, Ujjain, Prof. Rajaram Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, and Prof. Devi Prasad Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar. They all lauded IGNOU's initiative in promoting the most scientific language and hoped that this would help the language get its rightful place in Indian universities.  

Dr. Malati Mathur, Director, School of Humanities, IGNOU welcomed the gathering and reiterated the importance of the language. The virtual programme was conducted by Dr. Jitendra Srivastava, SOH. He also gave a background of the development of the programme..

Prof. Radhavallabh Tripathi, eminent Sanskrit scholar and Former Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan said this (launch) offers immense possibilities and challenges for Sanskrit. He also called to include the modern Sanskrit works in the syllabi. Prof. Ramesh Kumar Pandey, Vice Chancellor, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University said it is a proud moment for the language and for all of us and this would help in propagation of not only the language but also our culture. The multimedia material of the programme covers all the aspects and is not less in any-way from the regular programme, he added.

Prof. (Dr.) Pankaj Lakshman Jani, vice-chancellor, Maharshi Panini Sanskrit and Vedic University, Ujjain said this gives opportunity to learners from all over India irrespective of their mother-language. This would enable them to benefit from the rich literature of Sanskrit. Prof. (Dr.) Gangadhar Panda, Kolhan University, Jharkhand said all our scriptures are in Sanskrit language and knowing the language would help our learners understand them better and appreciate our long-term linguistic heritage.

Prof. Rajaram Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi said the unique pedagogy of the programme at IGNOU is a welcome development at Master's level. He touched upon different pedagogical methodology of teaching the Sanskrit language through traditional and University systems. Prof. Devi Prasad Tripathi, Vice-Chancellor, Uttarakhand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar reiterated that Sanskrit language is must if one were to understand India and its true culture.

Prof. Nageshar Rao, Vice-Chancellor in his presidential address thanked the distinguished guests for gracing the launch and supporting it. He hoped that with the collective efforts of everyone, Sanskrit would get the boost needed and would be taken up by students as the preferred choice.

Prof. Nageshwar Rao, also talked about the binding nature of Sanskrit which he said connects us with the Bharat and its rich knowledge which is available in the language only. He also talked about the immense potential that it offers to learners in terms of future prospects. Prof. Rao said that Sanskrit is the mother language for a lot of Indian languages and many words used in different languages including some international ones are borrowed from this great language which is part of Indian ethos and history. 

Prof. Satyakam, PVC IGNOU outlined the structure of the MA Sanskrit programme and highlighted the key-points. He also underlined the contribution of eminent scholars in the design and development of the programme. Prof. Jagdish Sharma, IGNOU proposed vote-of-thanks.

The interested students can register for admission to the programme through university’s admission portal; https://ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in/