expenditure. So far, 12 postgraduate teaching Institutions and two post-
graduate research Institutions have been brought under the purview of
this scheme. Three of them are in Bihar, 2 in Haryana, 1 in Kerala,
2 in Maharashtra, 3 in Tamil Nadu and 3 in Uttar Pradesh.
Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan The Sansthan, an autonomous organisation under the Ministry, has
been set up for preservation and propagation of Sanskrit including research,
Publication, collection and preservation of manuscripts and organising
training activities. Since 1970, it has established 8 Kendriya Sanskrit
Vidyapeethas in 7 States situated at Allahabad, Delhi, Guruvayur, Jaipur,
Jammu, Lucknow, Puri and Tirupati. The ninth Vidyapeetha at Calcutta
is likely to be started from the next academic year 1988-89. In addition,
it has about 36 private institutions affiliated to it for the purpose of
examinations. It conducts examinations and awards, certificates and degrees
from Prathma to Vidya-Varidhi. It also provides teachers' training at
Graduate and Post-Graduate levels. At present, there are 1900 students
on the rolls of Sansthan's Vidyapeethas out of which 11.50 students are
given scholarships for their studies and are provided with hostel facilities.
Deemed to be Universities Two Vidyapeethas at Delhi and Tirupati have been declared as
deemed to be Universities, on 16th November, 1987.
The Vidyapeethas, apart from providing training, have undertaken a
number of research, development and extension activities. There are
discussed below :-
(a) The Allahabad Vidyapeetha which specialises in collection and
preservation of manuscripts, has so far collected about 50,000
manuscripts and has published several important works. It
has also launched a programme of microfilming manuscripts,
from Kashmir University pertaining to Kashmir Shaivism. The
work is under progress.
(b) The Tirupati Vidyapeetha has been working on the following
projects :
(i) Agama Kosha : The Vaikhanasa Agama Kosha is taken up
for printing. It will be followed by Pancaratra and Shaivism
Kosha.
(ii) Tape recording of Vedas : Vedic recitation of various
sakhas have been recorded upto 1000 hours. Further work
is in progress with the help of Tirupati Tirumala Deva-
sthanam.
(iii) Tape Recording of Oral Shastric Tradition : Tape Record-
ing of Mimansa tradition has been completed upto 60%.
Second phase is in progress.
(c) Jammu Vidyapeetha : This Vidyapeetha specialises in Kash-
mir Shaiv Darshan and the manuscript for Kashmir Shaiv
Darshan Kosha has been completed. Revision is going on. A
centre at Srinagar is being opened for collection of manus-
cripts of this tradition.
(d) Delhi Vidyapeetha specialises in the preparation of Sandarbha
Kosha on Sankhaya and Yoga. The printing of the manus-
cripts of Sabhara Bhasya with commentaries is in progress.
(e) Headquarters Office : Sloka Vatrika 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 Headquar-
ters Office of the Sansthan. Compendia volumes for students
on Sanskrit literature taken up at Headquarters Office are
completed. Seminars on Mimansa and Kashmir Shaivism were
conducted at Tirupati and Srinagar respectively during the year.
During the year 1987, about 154 students have been
registered for Vidyavaridhi course in different Vidyapeethas
and about 18 scholars have been awarded the Vidyavaridhi
degrees.
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Scholarships The Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan has been operating the following
scholarship programmes on behalf of the Ministry of Human Resource
Development:
(a) Research Scholarships to products of Sanskrit Pathshalas
A monthly stipend of Rs. 300 is given to research's scholars for a period
of 2 years. In addition, a contingent grant of Rs. 500 per year is also given
to each student.
(b) 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 of the Assistance is being provided to Deccan College, Pane for preparing a
Deccan College, Pune Sanskrit Dictionary on Historical principles which will help research
scholars in the interpretation of old and difficult Sanskrit texts. Three parts
each of volumes I and II and part I of volume III have, already been pub-
lished.
Utilisation of Services,of Senior Under this scheme, 85 eminent Sanskrit scholars have been approved
Eminent Sanskrit Scholars to Impart for guiding junior members of the staff and senior students in ADARSH
Indepth Study in Sastras SANSKRIT 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 Under this scheme, registered Voluntary Organisations working for the
Organisation Engaged in the Propaga- promotion of Arabic and Persian are given financial assistance towards
tion and Development of Classical salary, scholarships, furniture, library, etc. and other activities. About 180
Languages other than Sanskrit, i.e., institutions are being assisted under this scheme. Scholarships are also
Arabic/Persian awarded every year to students of traditional Madrasas and Maktabs to
prosecute higher research in Arabic and Persian.
Award of Certificate of Honour to This scheme envisages giving of President's award of Certificate of
Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian Scho- Honour to eminent Sanskrit. Arabic and Persian scholars. Every year 14
lars scholars-10 in Sanskrit and 2 each in Arabic and Persian--are selected
for the award and their names are announced on the eve of Independence
Day. The award carries an annual monetary grant of Rs. 5,000 for life.
The question of enhancement of this amount is under active considera-
tion of the Ministry. Each scholar is presented with a Sanad and a Shawl
at a function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. As in the past, 14 scholars
were selected for award this year.
Scheme for Development of Sanskrit (a) Financial Assistance to Eminent Sanskrit Scholars in Indigent Circum-
through State Government/Union stances
Territories
About 1,700 eminent scholars whose income is below Rs. 250 p.m.
are receiving financial assistance upto Rs. 250 P.M. under this scheme. A
proposal to enhance this amount to Rs. 6000 p.a. is under consideration.
(b) Modernisation of Sanskrit Pathshalas
To bring about fusion between the traditional and modem system of
Sanskrit education, Government of India is giving grant to State Govern-
ments for appointment of teachers for teaching selected modern subjects in
the traditional Sanskrit pathshalas. Assistance is expected to be released to
10 States -and Union Territories for appointment of one teacher each during
1987-88.
(c) Providing Facilities for Teaching Sanskrit in High and Higher Secondary
Schools
Government of India steps in to fill up the gap by giving 100% grant
towards salary of Sanskrit teachers to be appointed in High and Higher
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Secondary. Schools where the State- Governments are not in a position to
Provide facilities to teach Sanskrit. Ten States are likely to avail of this
assistance during 1987-88, appointing 36 teachers.
(d) Scholarships to Students Studying Sanskrit in High and Higher
Secondary Schools
In order to attract good students to study Sanskrit in the High and
Higher Secondary Schools, merit scholarships are given to Sanskrit students
in IX to XII classes @ Rs. 10/- p.m. About 3,000 students are getting
benefit under this scheme. The proposal to increase the amount of
scholarship is under consideration.
(e) Grant to State Governments for their own Scheme for Promotion of
Sanskrit
Under this scheme, a State Government is free to chalk out its own
programme for development and propagation of Sanskrit like, upgrading
the salary of teachers, honouring of vedic scholars, conducting Vidwat
Sabhas, holding of evening classes for sanskrit, celebrating Kalidasa
Samaroh, etc. Assistance under this scheme is expected to be given to
nine States/UTs during 1987-88.
Production of Saskrit Literature 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, and (v) preparation and
publication of descriptive catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts and publishing
critical editions of Sanskrit Manuscripts.
During 1987-88 (upto the end of December, 1987) 20 publications
have been brought out with Government assistance. About 25 more
publication's are expected to be brought out during 1987-88. Be-sides
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 sizeable 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 edition of all the Mahapuranas
with Government assistance.
About 35 journals are being assisted by Government of India by giving
a grant ranging from Rs. 1500/- to Rs. 10,000/- p.a. to improve their
quality and contents. Government has also purchased about 200 books
from individuals and publishers for free distribution to various institutions.
Four catalogues/critical editions of manuscripts have been brought out
in 1987-88. Five more catalogues/critical editions are expected to be
published in 1987-88.
Besides, a massive programme for bringing out photo offset reproduc-
tion of important out-of-print Sanskrit books has also been undertaken
with a view to making them available at low price to the readers. About
40 books are expected to be reprinted during 1987-88.
Preservation of Oral Tradition of As a special incentive to preserve the oral tradition of vedic studies, a
Vedic Studies 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
1987-88, eight 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. Nine more units are going to be assisted under
this scheme shortly.
Vedic Convention 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
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Convention was organised in August, 1987 at New Delhi in which about
150 Vedapathis and students participated.
All India Elocution Contest The 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 various States are invited to participate, in this. This
year's contest is scheduled for the early part of the year.
Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan Rashtriya Veda Vidya, Pratishthan has been set up recently fur under-
taking various activities such as supporting traditional vedic institutions
and scholars, providing scholarships/fellowships etc. for promotion of oral
traditions of vedic students. An amount of Rs. 50.00 lakhs has been
sanctioned to the Pratishthan for utilising. it as a corpus fund during the
year 1987-88. The Pratishthan has been inaugurated on 10th August,
1987.
Vocational Training to Products This scheme was introduced with a view to enhancing the employment
of Sanskrit Pathshalas 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
1987-88, about twelve such courses are likely to be conducted.
Cultural Exchange Programme Cultural agreements are made between India and other countries
under which some scholars from India are to be sent abroad and some
scholars of other countries are to be received in India. For them
provision of scholarship, two-way air-fare and boarding/lodging arrange-
ments etc. have to be made. For this, a new scheme of cultural exchange
programme is being formulated for seeking approval of Planning Com-
mission. However, a budget
mission. However, a budget provision of Rs. 3.00 lakhs has been made
for this scheme for the year 1987-88.