Uttar Pradesh

• 04 Nov 2024

Uttar Pradesh Expands Sanskrit Scholarship Scheme

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government launched a new scholarship scheme to support Sanskrit education, enhancing eligibility and funding for students.

Key Points

• Expansion:
  • The scheme now supports 69,195 students with a budget of Rs. 586 lakh, a significant increase from the previous 300 beneficiaries.
  • Unlike the prior scheme, which had strict age limits, the new scholarship is open to all qualified Sanskrit students across Uttar Pradesh.
  • CM emphasized Sanskrit's relevance to scientific fields such as computer science, encouraging students to view it as a language with broad applications.
• Support for Traditional Gurukul Education:
  • Plans to revive gurukul-style schools were announced, with improved support for residential facilities and hiring of qualified teachers.
  • Establishment of a Vedic science center will facilitate research, integrating traditional Sanskrit knowledge with modern scientific inquiry.

Gurukul

• The ‘Gurukul’ was a type of education system in ancient India with shishya (students) living with the guru in the same house.
• Nalanda has the oldest university system of education in the world.
• Students from across the world were attracted to Indian knowledge systems.

Preparations for Kumbh Mela 2025

Why in News?

Recently, UP CM announced measures to make the Kumbh Mela 2025 a safer, culturally rich event.

Key Points

• Enhanced Safety Measures:
  • Advanced security and surveillance systems, including drones, will be deployed for crowd control and emergency response.
• Cultural Showcases:
  • Traditional performances and exhibitions will feature throughout the Mela, emphasizing India’s diverse heritage.
• Infrastructural Developments:
  • Road expansion, improved sanitation, and upgraded facilities are prioritized to handle millions of pilgrims.
• Environment-Friendly Initiatives:
  • Steps to minimize waste and maintain the cleanliness of the Ganga River and surrounding areas.

Kumbh Mela

• Kumbh Mela is the largest peaceful congregation of pilgrims during which participants bathe or take a dip in a sacred river.
• Kumbh Mela comes under the UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
• The festival is held at Prayagraj (at the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati), Haridwar (on the Ganges), Ujjain (on the Shipra) and Nasik (on the Godavari) every four years by rotation and is attended by millions of people irrespective of caste, creed or gender.
• As it is held in four different cities in India, it involves different social and cultural activities, making this a culturally diverse festival.
• The event encapsulates the science of astronomy, astrology, spirituality, ritualistic traditions, and social and cultural customs and practices, making it extremely rich in knowledge.
• Knowledge and skills related to the tradition are transmitted through ancient religious manuscripts, oral traditions, historical travelogues and texts produced by eminent historians.
• The teacher-student relationship of the sadhus in the ashrams and akhadas remains the most important method of imparting and safeguarding knowledge and skills relating to Kumbh Mela.