Studies in Folklore Two personnel of the Institute were deputed to the USA for training in Educational Testing Service. Two others were also deputed for training viz one for training in folklore in the USA and the other for lexicography in the USSR. Besides, one officer has been deputed to the USA and the UK for the study of models of bilingual education.
C. PROMOTION OF ENGLISH AND OTHER FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Hyderabad During the year, the Institute, an institution deemed to be a university under section 3 of the UGC Act, continued its teacher training programmes in English, French, German and Russian, research on the methodology of teaching, production of teaching materials and extension services. The training programme has been, diversified to meet the needs of key personnel in definite areas of English and foreign languages teaching in the country. Areas of meaningful research have been identified and efforts, are being made to publish the findings. The scope of extension services has been, broadened to give effective assistance both at the college and secondary levels for the improvement of standards of English teaching. Radio lessons in English were produced for various classes at school level. Textbooks for various classes at the school level have also been published. The Department of French, German and Russian offered postgraduate courses in the teaching of these languages. They also offered part-time proficiency Diploma and M.A. courses. The Department of Arabic offered proficiency, preliminary and diploma courses in modern Arabic.
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D. PROMOTION OF SANSKRIT AND OTHER CLASSICAL LANGUAGES
SUCH AS ARABIC AND PERSIAN
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan More than 1,000 students were admitted to the Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeethas at Jammu, Delhi, Allahabad, Puri, Tirupati and Guruvayoor, (Kerala) to undergo the traditional type of Sanskrit education at post-graduate level. Forty-three new publications have been brought out both by the Vidyapeethas and the Sansthan bringing the total publications to date to 102. Five hundred and eleven students are given scholarship facilities, besides 300 who are provided free hostel facilities. There are 257 teacher-trainees undergoing the training course for teaching Sanskrit. The Vidyapeethas and other affiliated institutions together are expected to send about 2,500 students to appear in the various examinations conducted by the Sansthan. Eleven students have been registered for doing research in the Vidyapeethas.
Scholarships Research scholarships to 80 students of traditional Sanskrit Pathshalas have been awarded during the year. Besides, 220 scholarships are awarded to students pursuing Shastri and Acharya courses and more than 600 scholarships for post-matric studies in Sanskrit. The total expenditure involved amounts to about Rs. 12 lakhs.
Financial Assistance to Voluntary Sanskrit Organisations Under this scheme, a sum of Rs. 30 lakhs is being released to about 700 traditional Sanskrit teaching institutions and Gurukulas and Vedapathshalas all over the country. These grants are mainly meant for payment of salary of teachers at higher rates and scholarships to meritorious students. Grants are also released for strengthening libraries and physical facilities in these traditional Sanskrit institutions in, the country.
Publication of Dictionary Based on Historical Principles This project is being implemented in the Deccan College Post- graduate and Research Institute, Poona. The work on the preparation of the Critical Sanskrit Dictionary on Historical Principles has been making steady progress. The college brought
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out the third fascicule of 300 pages and completed the first Volume in three parts and also part I of Volume II.
Adarsh Sanskrit Pathshalas A few institutions which have been consistently showing steady progress and high standard among the traditional Sanskrit teaching organisations, have been chosen under this scheme for special financial assistance at the rate of 95% of the total approved expenditure. As against six such institutions during the last year, there are seven Adarsh Pathshalas which together will be financed to the tune of Rs. 10 lakhs during the current year.
Financial Assistance to Voluntary Arabic and Persian Organisations
Among the other classical languages that receive the attention of the Government of India, Arabic and Persian have special importance in so far as their cultural aspect is concerned. With a view to propagating and developing these two classical languages a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs is being released to 125 institutions (Madarsas) and other traditional type of Arabic and Persian institutions.
Central Scheme for Promotion of Sanskrit Eminent Sanskrit scholars in indigent circumstances are being helped to the extent of Rs. 1,800 each per year less their income, under this scheme. For the current year, 1,100 scholars are receiving this assistance all over the country.
Production of Sanskrit Literature To encourage the production of new Sanskrit Literature and preserve ancient literature, financial assistance is given to indivi- duals, organisations, research institutions and universities for the publication of works relating to Sanskrit language and literature, printing of out-of-print Sanskrit works, printing critical editions of rare Sanskrit manuscripts and bringing out Sanskrit journals. Copies of books relating to Sanskrit are also purchased. Some of the important projects are :
(a) Preparation and publication, of critical editions and translations of Puranas by the All India Kashiraj Trust.
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(b) Dharmakosha by Dharmakosha Mandal, Wai.
(c) Pali Dictionary Project by The Government Sanskrit College, Calcutta.
(d) Publication of critical editions of Vedic Texts by Vedic Samshodhan Mandal, Poona.
All India Elocution Contest for the Students of Sanskrit Pathshalas
The 18th All-India Elocution Contest for the students of Sanskrit Pathshalas was held in February, 1980 at Gokarna, Karnataka. Students from different States and Union Territories participated in the contest. Simultaneously, the Tenth All India Vedic Convention was also held. 56 Vedic scholars participated in the Convention to discuss on the Shakhas of four Vedas.
Under the scheme for preservation of the oral tradition of Vedic recitation, three Vedic scholars-one each in Taittriya Yajurveda, Kanva Yajurveda and Rigveda has been getting Rs. 500 per month and two students Rs. 200 per month each.
Award of Certificate of Honour to Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian
Scholars with Monetary Grant This scheme envisages, giving of President's Award to Sanskrit, and one each to Arabic and Persian scholar on the 15th August, which includes, grant of Rs. 5,000 each per year, for life- and Robe of Honour at the Investiture Ceremony. The total number of scholars now getting this award is 105.
World Sanskrit Conference An Indian delegation of four scholars participated in the 4th World Sanskrit Conference held at Wiemer, German Democratic Republic from May 23 to 30, 1979.