THIRUVANTHAPURAM: Thiruvananthapuram City Corporation Mayor K Chandrika on Sunday mooted the inclusion of study of Sanskrit language in the primary school syllabus saying that it was through Sanskrit books and literature that “we could unravel our history and culture.” She was inaugurating the 100th birthday celebartions of eminent Sanskrit scholar M H Shastri and also the valediction of 120th anniversary celebrations of the Government Sanskrit College here. She also lauded the contributions of M H Shastri to the growth of Sanskrit studies in the State.
Former Union Minister O Rajagopal, who was the chief guest in the event, said that Kerala was the only State in the country where people had the least regard for their mother tongue.
“This was owing to the introduction of Western education in the State in the first half of 19th century which had its strong influence even now. However, the situation was slowly changing with the government rooting for classical status for Malayalam language and also for a Malayalam university in the State,” he said.
G H Mahadeven, son of M H Sastri, dedicated the newly-constructed seminar hall to the college in connection with its 120th anniversary.
I&PRD director M Nandakumar, the new District Collector of Pathanamthitta district S Raveendran, who is also a former student of Government Sanskrit College and the family members of M H Shastri were also present at the function presided over by J Prasad, the Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University for Sanskrit, Kalady.