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?In ancient India the intention to discover truth was so extensive that in the process, they discovered perhaps the most perfect tool for fulfilling such a search that the world has ever known as the Sanskrit language,? writes Rick Briggs, a researcher in NASA, who has been looking at Sanskrit as a possible computer language, as its syntax is perfect and leaves little room for error.
Taking Sanskrit global again, the Sanskrit Bharati recently organised a residential Sanskrit conversation camp at Boston, San Jose and Houston in USA. There were various sessions with emphasis laid on spoken Sanskrit. Through activities such as conversation, singing, enacting small skits, chanting and writing, the camp provided opportunities to connect to the roots of all Indian languages. Shri C.M. Krishna Shastry, founder-organising secretary of Sanskrit Bharati in India, was senior instructor at the camp.
In Houston the camp was organised from September 10 to 12 at Gordon Ranch. ?The participants realised that the Sanskrit was not just a communication language, but a revolutionary system that encompassed Vedic culture, a rich philosophy and a world-view that enables all human beings to culturally and spiritually enrich their lives and reach their full potential,? said Jayakumar Srinivasan, one of the organisers of the Houston camp.
Ramesh Bhutada, a prominent Houston businessman and chief guest said at the concluding ceremony that Sanskrit was not an end in itself. ?It is a means to an end for those people who want to learn Sanskrit to delve deep into various fields, like yoga, Ayurveda, science and technology, much of which is documented in the ancient scriptures in Sanskrit.? The participants included physicians, scientists, engineers, computer professionals and accountants. They ranged from elementary school children to people in their mid-70s. Most of them were new to Sanskrit conversation.
In India, around 30 million people learn Sanskrit at school level. There are nine Sanskrit universities exclusively teaching Sanskrit in India and 120 universities offer post-graduate and graduate Sanskrit courses in India. In USA, more than 15 universities have various levels of Sanskrit classes. About 300 universities the world over offer Sanskrit courses and research on science and technology. Visit www.Sanskrit-Bharati.org for finding more information on Sanskrit.
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