12.4.7 Head-Quarters Office : Sloka Vartika with Tika on Mimansa, A study-on Srauta Sutras, selection from vedas for students in Sanskrit, is in progress. In all, about 155 publications have come out from the different Vidyapeethas and the Head-quarters Office of the Sansthan. Compendia volumes for students of Sanskrit literature taken up at Head-quarters Office have, been completed. Seminars on Mimansa and Kashmir Shaivism were conducted at Tirupati apt! Srinagar respectively during the year.
12.4.8 During the year 1988, about 154 students have been registered for Vidyavaridhi course in different Vidyapeethas and about 24 scholars have been awarded the Vidyavaridhi degree.
Scholarships 12.4.9 The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan has been operating the two scholarship programmes on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Under Research Scholarships Scheme to Products of Sanskrit Pathshalas, a monthly stipend of Rs.300/- is given to research scholars for a period of two years. In addition, a contingent grant of Rs. 500/ - per year is also given to each student.
Under Post-Matric Scholarships, Students who study Sanskrit as a subject at M.A/Acharya and Ph.D, levels in the modern stream are awarded scholarships at the rates of Rs. 100/- per month and Rs. 300/- per month respectively.
Sanskrit Dictionary Project, The Deccan College, Pune 12.4.10 Assistance is being provided to Deccan College, Pune for preparing a Sanskrit Dictionary on
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Historical principles which will help research scholars in the interpretation of old and difficult Sanskrit texts. Three parts each of Volume I and II, and part I of volume III have already been published.
Utilisation of Services of Senior Eminent Sanskrit Scholars to Impart
Indepth Study in Sastras 12.4.11 Under this scheme, 85 eminent Sanskrit scholars have been approved for guiding junior members of the staff and senior students in Adarsh Sanskrti Pathshalas, some important voluntary, Sanskrit teaching institutions, research centres and Sanskrit Universities in the indepth study of higher texts, research and methodology. These scholars are appointed on a monthly honorarium of Rs. 1000/-.
Financial Assistance to Voluntary Organisations Engaged in the
Propagation and Development of Classical Languages other than Sanskrit
i.e. Arabic and Persian 12.4.12 Under this scheme, registered Voluntary Organisations working for the promotion of Arabic and Persian are given financial assistance towards salary, scholarships, furniture, library, etc. and other activities. About 200 institutions are being assisted under this scheme. Scholarships are also awarded every year to students of traditional Madrasas and Maktabs to prosecute higher research in Arabic and Persian.
Award of Certificate of Honour to Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian
Scholars 12.4.13 This scheme envisages giving of President's award of Certificate of Honour to eminent Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian scholars. Every. year 14 scholars10 in Sanskrit and two each in Arabic and Persian- are selected for the award and their names are announced on the eve of Independece Day. The award carries an annual monetary grant of Rs. 10,000/- for life. Each scholar is presented with a Sanad and a Shawl at a function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. As in the past, 14 scholars were selected for award this year.
Scheme for Development of Sanskrit through State Governments/Union
Territories
Financial Assistance to Eminent Sanskrit Scholars in Indigent
Circumstances 12.4.14 About 1,460 eminent scholars whose income is below Rs. 4,000/- per annum are receiving financial assistance upto Rs. 4,000/- per annum under this scheme.
Modernisation of Sanskrit Pathshalas 12.4.15 To bring about a fusion between the traditional and modern systems of Sanskrit education, Government of India is giving grant to State Governments for appointment of teachers for teaching selected modern subjects in the traditional Sanskrit pathshalas. Assistance is expected to be released to three States and Union Territories for appointment of one teacher each during 1988-89.
Providing Facilities for Teaching Sanskrit in High and Higher
Secondary Schools 12.4.16 Government of India steps in to fill up the' gap by giving 100% grant towards salary of Sanskrit teachers to be appointed in such High and Higher Secondary Schools where the State Governments are not in a position to provide facilities to teach Sanskrit. Three States are likely to avail of this assistance during 1988-89 for appointing nine teachers.
Scholarships to Students Studying Sanskrit in High and Higher
Secondary Schools 12.4.17 In order to attract good students to the study of Sanskrit in the High and Higher Secondary schools, merit scholarships are given to Sanskrit students in IX to XII classes @ Rs. 10/ - per month. About 3,000 students are getting benefit under this scheme. The proposal to increase the amount of scholarship is under consideration.
Grant to State Governments for their own schemes for promotion of
Sanskrit 12.4.18 Under this scheme, a State Government is free to chalk out its own programmes for development and propagation of Sanskrit like upgrading the salary of teachers, honouring of vedic scholars, conducting Vidwat Sabha, holding of evening classes for Sanskrit, celebrating Kalidasa Samaroh, etc. Assistance under this scheme is expected to be given to five States/UTs during 1988-89.
Production of Sanskrit Literature 12.4.19 Under this scheme, assistance is given for (i) printing and publication of original works relating to Sanskrit literature, (ii) printing of out-of-print Sanskrit books, (iii) purchase of Sanskrit publications from authors and publishers for free distribution to various institutions, (iv) Sanskrit journals to improve their quality and contents, (v) preparation and publication, of descriptive
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catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts and publishing critical editions of Sanskrit Manuscripts.
12.4.20 During 1988-89(upto the end of December, 1988) 20 publications have been brought out with Government assistance. About 20 more publications are expected to be brought out during 1988-89. Besides these, Dharma Kosha Mandala, Wai, which is engaged in the work of preparation and publication of Dharam Kosha, an encyclopaedia of ancient Sanskrit Literature will receive a sizable amount of grant from Government of India during the remaining period of Seventh Five Year' Plan. All India Kashiraj Trust, Varanasi is engaged in bringing out Hindi translations, English translations and critical editions of all the Mahapuranas with Government assistance.
12.4.21 About 33 journals are being assisted by Government of India by giving a grant ranging from Rs. 1500/- to 10,000/- per annum to improve their quality and contents. Government has also purchased about 200 books from individuals and publishers for free distribution to various institutions. Two catalogues/critical editions of manuscripts have been brought out in 1988-89. Five more catalogues/critical editions are expected to be published during 1988- 89.
12.4.22 Besides, a massive programme for bringing out photo offset reproduction of important out-of-print Sanskrit books has been undertaken with a view to make them available at low price to the readers. About 30 books are expected to be reprinted during 1988-89.
Preservation of Oral Tradition of Vedic Studies 12.4.23 As a special incentive to preserve the oral tradition of Vedic studies, a scheme was introduced during 1978 under which each swadhyayin is expected to train two students each below the age of 12- one of them being their own son or near relative, in a particular Veda Shakha. During 1988-89, fifteen such units are receiving assistance. Under this scheme, the scholar is getting an honorarium of Rs. 1250/- p.m. and the student a stipend of Rs. 175/- p.m.
Vedic Convention 12.4.24 In order to locate and identify the areas and families where the oral vedic tradition is still alive, the Ministry holds a vedic convention every year in which scholars from all over India are invited. This year's Vedic Convention is expected to, be organised in January, 1989.
All India Elocution Contest 12.4.25 This Ministry is holding an All India Elocution Contest to encourage oratorial talents in the students of traditional Sanskrit Pathshalas in various branches of Sanskrit learning. Teams of eight students alongwith a teacher from all States are' invited to participate in this. This year's contest is scheduled to be held in January/February 1989.
Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan 12.4.26 Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan has been set up recently for undertaking various activities, such as supporting traditional vedic institutions and scholars, providing scholarships/fellowships etc. for promotion of oral traditions of vedic studies. The Pratishthan was inaugurated on 19th August, 1987 Rupees 20.00 lakhs have been sanctioned to the Pratishthan for utilising the same as a corpus fund during the year 1988-89.
12.4.27 In addition to it, an amount of Rs.5.00 lakhs has been sanctioned to the Pratishthan during 1988-89 for meeting expenses on establishment and salary of staff etc. The Pratishthan has organised two workshops on Vedic Mathematics-one at Jaipur in March, 1988 and the other at Ahmedabad in October, 1988.
Vocational Training to Products of Sanskrit Pathshalas 12.4.28 This scheme was introduced with a view to enhance the employment possibilities of students passing out of Kendriya Sanskrit Vidyapeethas,Adarsh Sanskrit Mahavidyalayas, and other traditional Sanskrit institutions. It provides short-term vocational training to those students in subjects allied to Sanskrit studies, namely, Epigraphy, Manuscriptology, Ritualogy, Sanskrit printing and composing etc. For conducting these courses, registered voluntary organisations receive cent per cent grant. During 1988-89, about twelve such courses are likely to be conducted.
Activities and Functions of various Advisory Boards/Commissions
Central Sanskrit Board 12.4.29 The Central Sanskrit Board advises the Government of India on matters of policy pertaining to the propagation and development of Sanskrit in the country, regarding patterns of Sanskrit Education at different levels etc.
Grants Committee on Voluntary Sanskrit Arabic/Persian Organisations 12.4.30 The Grants Committee on Voluntary
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Sanskrit,'Arabic and Persian organisations considers the applications received from different institutions through respective State Governments working for the propagation and development of Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian and recommends financial assistance to them. Meetings of these Committees were held on 18/19th August, 1988, 7th December, 1988 and 16th January, 1989.
Experts Committee Constituted for Selecting Eminent Elderly Sanskrit
Scholars 12.4.31 This committee scrutinises the applications and selects suitable scholars for imparting indepth coaching of Shastric subjects like Vyakarana, Nyaya, Vedanta etc. under Shastra Chudamani Scheme. Last meeting of this committee was held on 26th September, 1988.
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