Nepal Participates in Akhil Bharatiya Shastroutsav
Jayatu Sanskritam proudly marked its presence at the Akhil Bharatiya Shastroutsav, a four-day national Sanskrit festival inaugurated at Patanjali University, Haridwar, from March 18 to 21, 2024.
The event was a significant gathering of Sanskrit scholars, spiritual leaders, and students from across India and beyond. It was jointly organized by Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi, and Patanjali University, with the aim of promoting Vedic knowledge, classical Indian philosophy, and Sanskrit language traditions.
Among the international participants, Mr. Nawaraj Kattel, Vice President of Jayatu Sanskritam, represented Nepal and played a vital role in highlighting Nepal's contribution to Sanskrit education and cultural heritage. His active participation strengthened the cross-border academic and cultural ties between Nepal and India and demonstrated Jayatu Sanskritam's growing influence on the international Sanskrit platform.
he Shastroutsav was inaugurated by Acharya Balkrishna, the Vice-Chancellor of Patanjali University, in the presence of hundreds of Sanskrit scholars, students, and representatives from various institutions. The festival included a wide range of activities such as scriptural debates, Shastrarth (Vakartha) competitions, Vedic chanting, poetry recitations, and academic paper presentations. Topics ranged from Advaita Vedanta, Nyaya, and Paninian Grammar, to Sanskrit-based modern science, ethics, and cosmology.
In his inaugural address, Acharya Balkrishna emphasized the relevance of Sanskrit in the modern world. He stated, “Sanskrit is not merely a language, but the soul of Bharatiya civilization. It connects us to our roots, to our sciences, spirituality, and sustainable knowledge systems.”
Jayatu Sanskritam's involvement in such a large-scale academic and cultural festival is a reflection of its ongoing commitment to the preservation and promotion of Sanskrit, Eastern philosophy, and classical knowledge systems. Since its transformation into an institutional platform in 2055 BS, Jayatu Sanskritam has actively organized seminars, Sanskrit plays, language classes, and research initiatives across Nepal.
As Vice President of the organization, Mr. Nawaraj Kattel's participation in the event was not just symbolic but also practical. He engaged with various Sanskrit institutions, networked with scholars, and participated in dialogues aimed at strengthening regional cooperation for Sanskrit education. Mr. Kattel expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and highlighted that such events provide a valuable platform for Nepali scholars to exchange knowledge and present Nepal’s rich Sanskrit traditions on the global stage.
The participation also opened the door for future collaborations, including academic exchanges, joint publications, and student mobility programs between Patanjali University and Jayatu Sanskritam. It also served as a diplomatic cultural representation, as Nepal and India share deep-rooted historical and spiritual connections through the Sanskrit language.