Ever first World Samskrit Book Fair imbues the spirit of Samskrit enthusiasm

The world’s ever first of its kind, World Samskrit Book Fair held at Bangalore from January 7 to 10, has been huge success in terms  of both- to imbue spirit of Samskrit enthusiasm at all levels and  the number of book sold, along with a massive presence of Samskrit well wishers in this 4day historic event.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa inaugurated this mammoth event organised by Samskrit Organisatins led by Samskrita Bharathi.  World Samskrit Book Fair was held at National High School Grounds, Basavanagudi, Bangalore.  Scholars from about 14 Samskrit universities, 5 Samskrit Academies, 18 Oriental Research Institutes, National Manuscript Mission, Samskrita Bharati, International Institute of Samskrit Studies, Paris, various NGOs, scholars and lovers of Samskrit from all parts of India were participated in this conference.

Inaugurating the Book Fair and the associated Rashtreya Samkrit Sammelan CM Yeddyurappa said that “ Samskrit is a rich language with a great Heritage. If we lose Samskrit, we are losing nothing other than our culture and tradition. Sanskrit represented the deep-rooted wisdom and knowledge of Indian culture. The Karnataka government supported the language for the last two years and promoted Sanskrit in the majority of universities” He also ensured the support of the State Government in Samkrit related activities. ‘The already established Samskrit University will be strengthened with more facilities’, he added.

For having made Samskrit as Second official language of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand was honoured during the occasion. Speaking at the event Pokhriyal remineded the great heritage as well as the contributions of Samskrit to the ancient world which still has not lost its relevance yet. We should be proud of our ancient Samskrit contributions, let’s spread awareness around the world about the same, he told. Even he also pointed out that 2 cities in Uttarakhand are to be declare as ‘Samskrit Cities’, where even a lay man can communicate each other through Samskrit.

Former Chief Justice of India Justice MN Venkatachalaiah presided over the inaugural event. He told that “Dr. B R Ambedkar’s perspective of  Samskrit being the national language was reported in 1947. August 11th issue of an National media. Unfortunately the great language could not have that place after India became republic for some other causes. Samskirt teachers should get good remuneration so that Samskrit education provides not only life but also living.”

Anil Kumble, former Indian cricket captain inaugurated the Jnanaganga — an exhibition showcasing the knowledge heritage of India by, with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Samskruta Gramaha, a model of the working Sanskrit village was inaugurated with the ringing of a bell by Vishwshwara Hegade Kageri, Education Minister of Karnataka.  Kumble in his address to the gathering mentioned that he is an ardent lover of Sanskrit. ‘Sanskrit is the foundation of all languages. It was indeed heartwarming and an eye-opener to visit this fair. What Sanskrit has donated to our world is astonishing. I am honoured and humbled to be a part of this cause. It’s like comparing T20 and normal cricket. Sanskrit is the foundation of all languages. I hope to speak in Sanskrit someday’ said Kumble.

‘Samkritam Sarvathram’

In the valedictory event, Dinesh Kamath, The national organising secretary of Samskrit Bharati expressed deep concerns about prompting further awareness in the society about Samskrit learning and speaking. ‘Once Samskrit was considered to be one in the list of dead languages. Now in Samskrit is no more a dead language, it came up with efforts of many to a considerable level it is an endangered language. From sports to arts and news to debates, Samskrit has a presence. For countable population of Urdu, If a  Urdu TV Channel is possible, why can’t there be a Samskrit channel for a large population? ‘Samkritam Sarvathram’ Samskrit everywhere is my wish’ said Dinesh Kamath.

Former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy,  Union Minister for State in Human Resources and Development  Dr Purandareshwari, noted Kannada Schoilar G Venkatasubbaiah, Justice Rama Jois, Justice R C Lahoti, Dr. Dayanand Pai Industrialist,  Arun Ramarathnam, technology enthusiast and Wikipedia, Dr. M M Alex, Director IAITR, Chennai, Sri Roddam Narasimha, eminent scientist,  S Gurumurthy, economic consultant and columnist, Chennai, Narendra Kohli, Eminent Hindi Writer and novelist  along with RSS Sahasarakaryavah Suresh Sony, Dattatreya Hosabale, RSS veterans like K Sooryanarayana Rao, Dr Manmohan Vaidya, MC Jaidev, Samkruta Bharati National Organising Secretary Dinesh Kamath and several others were present during the event.

Highlights of WORLD SAMSKRIT BOOK FAIR-Bangalore.

–          In 4 day long held World Samskrit Book Fair, around 2.5lakh people visited the event, which also had book sale of 4crores.

–          In 154 bookstalls which were set up, the demand for Bhagavadgita was high; even there was a heavy  rush to buy VCD, DVD of the same.

–          According to the publishers who have experience of several book fairs since decades, in this World Samskrit Book Fair visitors were much specific about their choice and interest.

–          Education ministers of New Delhi, Uttharakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh expressed their wish to host next World Samskrit Book Fair in their respective state headquarters.

–          People from all social spectrums, from religious leaders to Ministers, corporate employers to farmers, students-teachers, and people from all caste, language, religion participated with much Samskrit enthusiasm.

–          The exhibition which reflects and explains the knowledge heritage of India, was one of the key attraction, was well appreciated by the public. National Manuscript Mission is also showcased ancient literary texts and languages. Organizations like ISRO, CDAC and others reputed institutes also joined their hands in this mega event to present India’s strides in the areas of mathematics, astronomy, metallurgy, avionics and others. Several ancient implements were displayed. Information cascade on ancient languages, scripts etc via journals, books, charts, presentations, etc were being organized.

–          Each day thousands of School students visited the exhibition and were curious about the concepts explained in Astronomy. Astrology.  Vedic mathematics, botany, zoology, agricultural science, planetarium, formation of soldiers in different patterns as explained in epics like padmavyooha etc.

–          Vice- Chancellors from 14 Samskrit Universities were participating in the Fair. In Samskrita Kavi Goshti, Poets from parts of the world presented their own work through recitals.

–          Cultural programs will be presented every evening at 6.00 PM.

–          The cultural programmes in Samskrit held at Conference Hall and Kuvempu Kalakshethra was witnessed by thousands Samskrit well wishers.

–          It was observed that visitors were more interested in understanding concepts in Science tradition of India and pride of India book series.

–          The samskrit Village show, which symbolizes a livelihood at village based on Samskrit major lifestyle, influenced the Urban Population of Bangalore. From vegetables to eatables Hats to STD booth, all aspects of social life were communicated and explained in Samskrit.

–          Demonstration of A traditional village judiciary system in Samskrit was new to many, attracted many.

–          Central minister Dr Purandareshwari visited this Samskrit village, sat in a demo Samskrit school, and said “mama naama Purandareshwari”in Samskrit, meaning my name is Purandareshwari.

–          The controversial novel ‘Lajja’ in Bengali that led to the exile of Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen will be translated into Sanskrit, too. Samskruta Bharati has taken the onus of translating the book under Saraswati Seva project, which has reproduced many books from regional languages in Sanskrit. The organisation, dedicated to promote Sanskrit, has decided to translate at least 1000 books in the next five years.

–          More than 8000 delegates from 24 states of India were participated during the national conference held as a part of World Samskrit Book Fair.

–          Non-Samskrit litterateurs, Scientists, advocates students, Software professionals, Sports personalities were also participated in the conference.

–          In  Yuva Sammelan, Kavi Sammelam, Vijnan Sammelan,  Shiksha Sammelan, Mahila Sammelan organized during the conference, emphasized the relevance of Samskrit in the present day life.

–          In a rare of its kind, More than 300 new books were released in Samskrit during World Samskrit Book Fair.

–          The cultural programmes in Samskrit held at Conference Hall and Kuvempu Kalakshethra was witnessed by thousands Samskrit well wishers.

–          A foreign guest at the venue, Michael Williams, was from Manchester of UK, was a student at Oxford University, Sanskrit is like his native language, words roll off his tongue effortlessly. He speaks fluent Sanskrit. Michael prefers to email in Sanskrit, whenever he wants to communicate with his teachers and friends. “I use the Devanagari script. But we do not have a system yet, where email IDs can be written in Sanskrit,” he says.

–          THE ENTIRE PROGRAMME WAS FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SAMSKRIT IN WORLD, BY ALL MEANS, WAS A SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

ಅಭೂತಪೂರ್ವ ವಿಶ್ವಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಮೇಳ!

ನಗರದ ಬಸವನಗುಡಿಯ ನ್ಯಾಷನಲ್ ಕಾಲೇಜು ಮೈದಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳೆದ ಜನವರಿ ೬ ರಿಂದ ೧೦, ೨೦೧೧ ರ ವರೆಗೆ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಮೊದಲ ಭಾರಿಗೆ ಬಹುದೊಡ್ಡ ’ವಿಶ್ವ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಮೇಳ ಮತ್ತು ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ್ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನವು’ ಯಶಸ್ವಿಯಾಗಿ ನಡೆಯಿತು.

• ಒಟ್ಟು ೧೫೪ ಮಳಿಗೆಗಳು ಭೇಟಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟವರ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ ೨.೫ ಲಕ್ಷ, ೪ ಕೋಟಿ ರೂ.ಗಳ ವ್ಯವಹಾರ ನಡೆದಿದೆ ಎಂದು ಅಂದಾಜಿಸಲಾಗಿದೆ.ಎಲ್ಲ ಮಳಿಗೆಗಳಲ್ಲೂ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ ಪುಸ್ತಕಕ್ಕೆ ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ಕಂಡು ಬಂತು. ವಿ.ನ.ಡಿ. ಡಿ.ವಿ.ಡಿಗಳನ್ನು ಮತ್ತು ಸಾಪ್ಟವೇರ್‌ಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಂಡುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ನೂಕು ನುಗ್ಗಲು ಕಂಡು ಬಂತು. ಹತ್ತಾರು ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಪುಸ್ತಕಮೇಳಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವವರ ಪ್ರಕಾಶಕರ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯದಂತೆ ಈ ಮೇಳದಲ್ಲಿ ನಿರ್ದಿಷ್ಟವಾದ ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳ ಬಗೆಗೆ ಪೋಕಸ್ ಇತ್ತು. ಅತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳು ಮಾರಾಟವಾಗಿವೆ.

• ಮುಂದಿನ ವರ್ಷ ಈ ಮೇಳವನ್ನು ತಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯೋಜಿಸುವಂತೆ ದೆಹಲಿ, ಉತ್ತರಖಂಡ, ರಾಜಸ್ಥಾನ, ಛತ್ತೀಸ್‌ಗಡ, ಮಧ್ಯಪ್ರದೇಶಗಳ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳು ಆಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಮಠಾಧಿಪತಿಗಳು, ಮಂತ್ರಿಗಳಿಂದ ಮೊದಲುಗೊಂಡು ಸಮಾಜದ ಎಲ್ಲ ವರ್ಗದ ಜನರೂ ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದ್ದು ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಮೇಳದ ವೀಕ್ಷಣೆಗೆ ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಜನಕಿಕ್ಕಿರಿದು ನಿಂತಿರುತ್ತಿದ್ದುದು ಸರ್ವೆ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿತ್ತು.

• ಭಾರತೀಯ ಜ್ಞಾನ-ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಪರಂಪರೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರತಿಬಿಂಬಿಸುವ ಜ್ಞಾನಗಂಗಾ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿನಿ ಜನಮನವನ್ನು ಸೂರೆಗೊಂಡಿತು.

• ಪ್ರತಿದಿನವೂ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಶಾಲಾ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ವೀಕ್ಷಿಸಿದ ಈ ಪ್ರದರ್ಶಿನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಖಗೋಳಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ಗಣಿತ, ಸಸ್ಯಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ, ಕೃಷಿ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ, ಯುದ್ಧವ್ಯೂವ ರಚನೆ, ತಾರಾಲಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಜನರ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿದ್ದುದು ಕಂಡು ಬಂತು. ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಜನರು ಭಿತ್ತಿಪತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಕ್ಯಾಮರಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಸೆರೆಹಿಡಿಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.

• ಭಾರತೀಯ ವಿಜ್ಷಾನ ಪರಂಪರೆ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರೈಡ್ ಆಫ್ ಇಂಡಿಯಾ ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳಿಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ಬಂತು.

• ಮೇಳದ ಕೇಂದ್ರಬಿಂದುವಾಗಿದ್ದ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ದಿನವೀಡಿ ಜನಜಂಗುಳಿ ಇತ್ತು. ಹಣ್ಣು ತರಕಾರಿಯಿಂದ ಹಿಡಿದು, ತಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಸಿಹಿತಿಂಡಿ, ಟೋಪಿ ಬಟ್ಟೆಗಳವರೆಗೆ  ದೇಶದ ವಿವಿಧ ವಿವಿಧ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳಿಂದ ಬಂದ ಗ್ರಾಮಸ್ಥರು ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಭಾಷೆಯಲ್ಲೇ ಜನರಿಗೆ ಪರಿಚಯಿಸಿ ಮಾರುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.

• ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದಲ್ಲೇ ಮಾತನಾಡುವ ನೂರಾರು ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಅಲ್ಲೆ ಓಡಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದುದು ಎಲ್ಲರ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆದರು.

• ಗ್ರಾಮ ಪಂಚಯ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದಲ್ಲಿ ನ್ಯಾಯದಾನ ಮಾಡುವ ಅಣುಕು ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ ಜನಾಕರ್ಷಣೆಯ ಕೇಂದ್ರವಾಗಿತ್ತು.

• ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಮಾನವ ಸಂಪನ್ಮೂಲ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಸಚಿವೆ ಪುರಂದರೇಶ್ವರಿಯವರು ವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ತರಗತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕುಳಿತು ’ಮಮ ನಾಮ ಪುರಂದೇಶ್ವರಿ….’ ಎಂದು ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ್ದು ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿತ್ತು.

• ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಗ್ರಾಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಂಚೆಕಛೇರಿ, ಗ್ಯಾರೇಜು, ಶಾಲೆ, ಪಂಚಾಯ್ತಿ ಕಟ್ಟೆಗಳ ಮುಂದೆ ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ಜನಜಾತ್ರೆ ಕಂಡು ಬಂತು.

• ೨೪ ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳಿಂದ ಎಂಟು ಸಾವಿರಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳು ಭಾಗವಹಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಅವರಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರು, ಪ್ರಾಧ್ಯಾಪಕರು, ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು ಮಾತ್ರವಲ್ಲದೇ ಐ.ಐ.ಟಿ, ಐ.ಎ.ಎಂ, ಮೆಡಿಕಲ್ ವಿದ್ಯಾರ್ಥಿಗಳು, ವಕೀಲರು, ಸಾಪ್ಟವೇರ್, ಮ್ಯಾನೇಜ್‌ಮೆಂಟ್ ಜನರೂ, ಸಂಸ್ಕೃರೇತರ ಸಾಹಿತಿಗಳು, ವಿಜ್ಞಾನಿಗಳೂ ಒಳಗೊಂಡಿದ್ದು ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿತ್ತು.

• ಯುವ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ, ಮಹಿಳಾ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ, ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ, ಕವಿಸಮ್ಮೇಳನ, ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಸಮ್ಮೇಳನದ ಗೋಷ್ಠಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಆಯಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರಗಳ ಗಣ್ಯರು, ತಜ್ಞರು ಆಧುನಿಕ ಜೀವನಕ್ಕೂ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಸಾರಿ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.

• ೩೦೦ ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಪುಸ್ತಕಗಳು ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಯಾದವು. ಮುಖ್ಯ ಮಂಟಪದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಾಗೂ ಕುವೆಂಪು ಕಲಾಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಕಾವ್ಯ, ನೃತ್ಯ, ಚಿತ್ರ, ನಾಟಕ, ಗಾನ, ರೂಪಕಗಳು ಮೊದಲಾದ ಸಾಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮಗಳಿಗೆ ಸೇರುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಭಾರಿ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯು ನೋಡುಗರ ಸಮೂಹ ಆಧುನಿಕತೆ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಾಚೀನತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮೇಳೈಸಿಕೊಂಡಿತ್ತು.

• ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳಿಗೆ ೪೫ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಮಂಟಪಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಾಸ್ತವ್ಯ. ಒಂದೆಡೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಅಲ್ಪಹಾರ – ಭೋಜನ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ. ಮೇಳದಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ಆತ್ಮೀಯತೆ ಶಿಸ್ತು ಹಾಗೂ ನಿರಾಡಂಬರತೆಗಳೊಂದಿಗಿನ ಅಚ್ಚುಕಟ್ಟುತನವು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಗಳ ಮತ್ತು ನೋಡುಗರ ಮನಗೆದ್ದಿತು.