New Delhi, 06 October (H.S.): Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan said on Tuesday that Sanskrit is the golden thread that binds India’s many languages into a grand garland. He emphasised the need to preserve, study and interpret the country’s ancient knowledge traditions and make them accessible to future generations.

Addressing the second convocation of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University here, the Vice President said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a conducive environment has been created for the revival of Sanskrit and the promotion of the Indian knowledge tradition. He said rare Sanskrit manuscripts should be preserved and passed on to future generations.

Referring to the university’s journey, the Vice President said the institution, which has evolved from a Sanskrit Vidyapeetha into a Central University, should now move towards establishing itself as a leading international centre of excellence for Sanskrit studies. He also lauded the university for securing an A++ NAAC grade and for undertaking research in various fields of the Indian knowledge tradition.

He said every Indian language has enriched the country, but Sanskrit is the golden thread that connects the pearls of India’s many languages into a magnificent garland. He also appreciated the efforts to keep Sanskrit vibrant through Subhashitas on the campus, the publication of the ‘Vidyapeeth Panchang’ for the past 44 years, and the study of classical subjects such as Prakrit and Vastu Shastra.

Radhakrishnan called upon teachers and students to work towards exploring and preserving India’s manuscript heritage, undertaking critical editions and publishing unpublished Sanskrit manuscripts. He said that under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, efforts are being made to take India’s vast manuscript heritage to people in the country and across the world, with an initial corpus of Rs 500 crore for the preservation and documentation of manuscripts.

Addressing the graduating students at the convocation, the Vice President advised them to remain lifelong learners and carry forward the values imparted to them by their teachers and parents. In the era of artificial intelligence, he urged them to use technology for the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit.

He appealed to the youth to stay away from intoxicants and substance abuse and to embrace discipline, sports, good company and meaningful activities. He advised students to use social media judiciously and in moderation and to devote their time to reading, learning, skill development and strengthening real-life relationships.

During the ceremony, the Vice President released three publications — ‘Amnaya Kalpataru’, ‘Vidyamitram’ and ‘Shodh Prabha’ (July-September 2026). He also presented gold medals to meritorious graduating students and administered a ‘Say No to Drugs’ pledge to those present. Union Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar, Vice Chancellor of the university Prof. Murli Manohar Pathak, scholars, Acharyas, teachers, students and their parents were present at the ceremony.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar