Online Sanskrit classes by city NGO go global

Mangaluru: Although the Covid-19 crisis has the education sector in the country grappling with an unprecedented crisis, the pandemic appears to have given a fillip to teaching and learning of the ancient Indian language: Sanskrit. Students from across the globe are enrolling in the online programme that Samskrita Bharati — a non-governmental organisation (NGO) — is offering.
The NGO is dedicated to the preservation and propagation of the language, and has already enlisted the services of 40 volunteers who are teaching Sanskrit.
The NGO has started the ‘Sarala Samskrita’ project that is aimed at initiating new learners, aged 10 and above, to the basics of the language. Under the project, the students are introduced to the fundamentals of Sanskrit, starting from the alphabet. Each class offered by the NGO lasts 90 minutes. In a bid to provide an opportunity to people who are working but still keen on learning the language, the classes start from 6pm and later. The classes are free, and one class is held per week.
President of Samskrita Bhrati, Mangaluru M R Vasudeva said students have to pay Rs 120 to appear in the online examination scheduled to be held in February. “Sheela Shankari, a teacher from Sri Sharada Vidyanikethan, trained 40 people who volunteered to impart classes. If more people enrol under the project, the volunteers are willing to conduct extra classes per week,” Vasudeva added.
Samskrita Bharati’s Mangaluru division coordinator Sathyanarayana KV said as many as 500 students had thus far enrolled for the ‘Sarala Samskrita’ programme. he said.
“We have students based in the United States of America. Despite the time difference, the promptness and eagerness that these students show in being a part of the classes boost the morale,” Sathyanarayana added.
Students also have the option of enrolling for ‘pravesha’, ‘parichaya’, ‘shiksha’ and ‘Kovida’ courses as well. Students who complete their ‘Kovida’ course, equal to an undergraduate degree, may enrol for the MA (Sanskrit) programme that Karnataka State Open University offers, he said. Entire process of enrolment too is now online. Those keen on joining these courses may call 9740071306 or 8197503174.