The Department of Sanskrit, School of Humanities, University of Hyderabad (UoH) in collaboration with Samskrita Bharati, a voluntary organisation celebrated Sanskrit Day on the occasion of Sravanpurnima on August 19, 2016 at conference hall, School of Humanities, UoH.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Y.L Nene, Agricultural Scientist & founder and Emeritus Chairman, Asian Agri-History Foundation based in Hyderabad delivered a talk titled “Sustainable Agriculture: Lessons to learn from Ancient and Medieval Agriculture of India”. While highlighting the fact that farming was the most mismanaged industry, Dr. Nene emphasized the need to go back to our cultural texts to relearn the farming practices indigenous to our society. Sanskrit being one of the most ancient languages in the world holds the key to reviving the agro sector, said Dr. Nene. “The British forced our farmer to grow only one or two variants of crops for their benefit. Not much has changed even now”.
The celebration also saw Acharya Narendra Kapre, a renowned Vedic Scholar from Hyderabad speak of the utility of the 16 Samskaras or rituals that need to be done from birth to death for refinement of mankind.
Sanskrit, despite enjoying the status of sacred language has been reduced from Langue Franca to just for academia. The government in an attempt to preserve and promote this language of heritage observes Sanskrit day in the month of August on the full moon day as per Indian Calendar.
Prof. Panchanan Mohanty, Dean, School of Humanities presided over the program which was attended by the faculty and students.
By Donita Jose
Department of Communication