Is anything wrong with the Sanskriti?

Some days ago Shri Rajnath Singh said – ‘The English language has caused a great loss to the country. We are losing our language, our culture as there are hardly any people, who speak Sanskrit now.’

 

For a moment let us put the gains and losses of the Queen’s language aside. Let us peek in to the history and culture of ancient India. For example if we look at music, dance and theatre. Hindustani and Carnatic musicians have never sung in Sanskrit. They have sung in Prakrit languages like Brij, Telegu, Kannada, etc.

The entire backward caste and communities like farmers, weavers, potters and traditional craftsmen, who formed the bulk of the population was never encouraged, but was rather excluded from learning Sanskrit. Women too were deprived. It was the privilege of the Brahmins and the upper caste to learn Sanskrit. And there was an impression only they could learn this ancient language as per the customs those days.

If four hundred years of British rule has not eroded our culture and tradition, then how can English, a language cause loss to the country, it can only enrich. In fact it helped us to see the outside world better, understand things in its right perspective, gave us an access to study outside art, science, politics and customs. The present Indian success story in various fields, including computer software; and millions of Indians working around the world, a big credit should go to the English language too, the major contributing factor to the nation’ success.

For Sanskrit, to be restored to its ancient glory, Indians must become culturally authentic and it must be made available to all. There is no point of blaming the English language. In fact many countries like China, Japan, Korea and others realizing the importance of English have embraced it and are now encouraging its citizens to learn English. Sometimes, it’s surprising how educated and enlightened people and leaders speak out on these parochial lines. English, the Queen’s language has not hindered but helped in India’s progress in the comity of nations.

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