Despite regular efforts Narendra Modi-led govt at the center to promote Sanskrit in higher studies, the cut-off for the subject continuously remains lowest among all the courses over the years
After waiting for three cut-off lists for admission in an undergraduate course in Delhi University, Shilpi Singh finally settled for an Honours course in Sanskrit. She wanted to pursue Political Science, but her Class 12 score of 81 per cent could not match the minimum requirement for admission in the course in any college across the University.
The 18-year-old student, who hails from Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh, was visiting DU's north campus for the third time on Friday. "It was my dream to study in a good DU college and I was really disheartened when I could not make it to my preferred course anywhere in the north campus in the first two lists. Now, I won't miss a chance to study in Gargi college so I have enrolled there for BA (honours) in Sanskrit," Singh said.
Singh is not alone, several hundred students have Sanskrit as their last resort to study in Delhi University. Despite regular efforts Narendra Modi-led government at the center to promote Sanskrit in higher studies, the cut-off for the subject continuously remains lowest among all the courses over the years. This year, Dayal Singh College announced the highest cut-off of 85 per cent in the first list which dropped down to 70 per cent in the second list due to low turn-out of the students.
"It clearly shows lack of interest among the aspirants for the subject. 90 per cent of the students take Sanskrit when they run out of choices. Students think they have no career options left after opting for the course," said a Sanskrit professor at Dayal Singh.
Similarly, Rahul Kumar, who wanted to study Hindi, also compromised and settled for Sanskrit after he failed meet the required cut-off in any college across the University. "I have no clue what I will do next. Studying in Delhi University is a big opportunity and I am sure I'll get enough exposure and will figure out what can be done after graduation," said the 18-year-old resident of Jharkhand.
According to the head of DU's Sanskrit department, Professor Sharda Sharma, it's high time to change the 'image' of the subject among students. "Students are unaware of the opportunities the present government is offering for those studying Sanskrit. They are offering several scholarship programmes for students to pursue the language in foreign Universities. It is a golden chance for those who desire to go abroad for higher education," she said.
"This year, we are going to organise at least two seminars on the importance of the language. It's very important to tell students that the subjects they are running after have originated from Sanskrit be it history or any other India language," Sharma added.
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