In what it has termed a “cultural renaissance”, RSS-affiliated Sanskrit Bharati will organise 1,008 free ‘Sanskrit conversation camps’ in collaboration with the Delhi Sanskrit Academy across the Capital — an initiative of the BJP government.
According to sources, while 58 Delhi University colleges and at least two on the premises of Jawaharlal Nehru University are among the academic institutions where camps will be organised, local madrasas could also be added to the list of venues for the ‘Sanskrit Sambhashan Shivir Abhiyan’ scheduled between April 23 and May 3.
Though the academic activities of Sanskrit Bharati, which set up its branch in the Capital after the mid-1990s, continue year-round and smaller camps have been held in the past, this is the first time that a programme is being organised at such a scale in the city, sources added.
The initiative seeks to bring Sanskrit “back to daily life”, with each participant at each camp to receive 20 hours of conversational training – two hours daily for 10 days – simultaneously. Apart from functional Sanskrit, the camps also seek to “impart Indian values, ethics, family structure, and societal principles” through the medium of Sanskrit.
The camps, which are free and open to all – including those who are not literate – will also be held at community spaces like RWA facilities, ashrams, dharamshalas, Arya Samaj temples, Sanatan Dharma temples, and gurukuls.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be part of the closing ceremony of the programme, which is scheduled at the DU auditorium. North East Delhi BJP MP Manoj Tiwari and Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra were part of a press conference held to announce the initiative on Wednesday.
“So far, we have seen many ‘Learn English’ campaigns, but for the first time, we are witnessing such a grand ‘Learn Sanskrit’ movement. Sanskrit is a medium to connect with our culture – it is not difficult, it is ancient yet modern,” Tiwari said.
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Mishra said it was a privilege for the Delhi government to be a part of the initiative. “I urge all residents of Delhi to participate in this historic cultural movement. This is not just an opportunity to learn a language, but a chance to reconnect with our roots,” he added.
Jayprakash Gautam, Akhil Bharatiya Sangathan Mantri of Sanskrit Bharati, said, “Sanskrit is simple and accessible to all. Sanskrit must become a people’s language. It is the mother of all Indian languages.”
Dr Vageesh Bhatt, Delhi Prant Adhyaksh of Sanskrit Bharati, added, “Since ancient times, Spanish is spoken in Spain, Chinese is spoken in China, so why not Sanskrit in India?”