Sanskrit, the mother of all Indian languages is facing tough times in south Indian state Kerala as the number of students learning the classical
language at various levels is dwindling.
As per the figures of Directorate of Public Instructions (DPI), about two lakh students studying the language in around 3000 schools in the state is much lower compared to previous years.
Considering the decreasing demand, many government as well as private schools removed the ancient language from their curriculum. State government also did not allow it as an optional language in the newly allotted higher secondary
schools, sources said, However, language experts said the lack of support and negligence shown by the officials and school managements had led to the decline of the 'Language of Gods'.
"Learning Sanskrit is essential to know about the culture and tradition of India. Without Sanskrit, how can one attain the true message of vedas and puranas, the Indian spiritual texts?," R Raghavendra, a city-based Sanskrit scholar asked.
Many aided schools were deliberately excluding Sanskrit from their optional language list, he said alleging that they were actually denying students the chance to study the real language of the country.
A large number of students, who studied Sanskrit in their upper primary and high schools are now unable to continue their studies in the higher secondary level due to the negligence of authorities, experts said.
The condition of those schools, which had been set up exclusively for Sanskrit learning was also not different.
"There are two Sanskrit schools in Alappuzha-one at Muhamma and the other at Vallikunnam. But the government is paying no attention on them," a school teacher in Alappuzha said.