The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has directed all its affiliated schools inside and outside India to celebrate ‘Sanskrit week’, as to promote and popularize the ancient Indian language.
A circular issued to CBSE school principals has directed schools to observe Sanskrit week from August 26 to September 1.
The circular read “Sanskrit is one of the ancient languages of India and it is important to familiarise oneself with Sanskrit if one has to understand the growth of Indian civilisation and culture. The objective of celebrating “Sanskrit Week” may be to provide voluntary opportunity to students to share their knowledge of Sanskrit and learn it from each other. The celebration of this week would increase awareness about the close relationship among Sanskrit and various other languages and cultural heritage of India. It may also stimulate linguistic creativity among students. The schools may organise many activities throughout the week, which may be celebrated from August 26, 2015 to September 1.”
While reacting to the move several teachers have reacted strongly against the move calling it an attempt to impose language on students.
It is to be noted that last year, Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani had suggested making Sanskrit a compulsory language in CBSE schools, especially in Kendriya Vidyalaya, however, after facing strong criticism from across the country the move was turned down.