Smriti Irani has done India a favour by getting Sanskrit to be taught in IITs

Union HRD minister Smriti Irani has disclosed that Sanskrit will be taught in IITs. Unsurprisingly Irani baiters have found another issue to settle their scores with the minister by attacking the move.

But if we keep aside the politics and analyse this step on its own merit, we will observe that the decision is actually quite a turnaround for the Indian education.

Boost artificial intelligence and computer science research in India

Sanskrit is a highly scientific language, its structure; rules are much more evolved than many so called modern European languages. Its structure is highly conducive and similar to computer languages. Thus an understanding of Sanskrit may give a boost to understanding and research of computers, artificial intelligence etc among our brightest minds. This step may prepare India better for a world, where artificial intelligence and digital competence are becoming more and more consequential.

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Better elite connect with Indian culture and people

Language, it is said, is a window to one's culture. The statement holds particularly true for Sanskrit. The ancient language, being particularly rich in terms of literature and culture, which was created over millennia, is indeed a window to Indian culture.

So if our upcoming elites in IITs are acquainted with Sanskrit, they may be more connected to our heritage. They will have a greater connect with our land, its people and tradition. Also they may provide a larger platform for our cultural works as lack of understanding of our ancient works prevents the rich collection of India's ancient literary works from reaching a wider audience. Also when they will be exposed to Sanskrit's affluence, the sense of inferiority that many Indians suffer from, will be automatically replaced with profound admiration and confidence.

Rediscover India's forgotten scientific achievement

Often many present-day citizens feel that ancient India was nothing more than a land of snake charmers. We, the Maculayputras, have too readily absorbed the false image that our past colonial masters perpetuated.

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But India was a land of Aryabhatta and Sushruta, with a long history of scientific achievements. But most of it lies unexplored due to multiple reasons, important among which is our disconnect with the language in which these achievements have been preserved.

Since Sanskrit was the language of intellectuals in the past, most of the great scientific and mathematical past achievements mostly stem from Sanskrit. An understanding of this ancient tongue can help rediscover this lost treasure of knowledge. It can, thus, help the IITs improve their research and innovation productivity, thus giving a major boost to research and innovation in India.

Save Sanskrit from extinction

Sanskrit is a decaying language today, with the exception of few proficient Indians. Its addition in the IIT curriculum can help in its revival. This is because not only will it be learned by an audience which is more equipped to grasp the nuances and complexities of an evolved language as Sanskrit but also its study at the IITs will influence masses to take a liking to the language. IIT is a brand and Sanskrit being taught at country's top engineering college will yield it an aura of coolness; something that one doesn't associate with the language as of now.

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Also, as IITians are placed throughout the globe, they can serve as ambassadors of the language.

Thus, it's clear that Sanskrit being taught at the IITs is a step forward for which the Centre deserves to be lauded. It has come not a day too soon. Though, one only wonders why it was not thought of and implemented before.