Delhi University launches course on Sanskrit and Digital Technology to teach coding basics
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Amid ongoing debates about the relevance of Sanskrit in modern computing, Delhi University (DU) has introduced a course linking the classical language with digital technology . The Department of Sanskrit is offering an elective course titled Computer Applications for Sanskrit to students pursuing the subject across DU colleges.The course, classified as a discipline-specific elective, introduces foundational computing skills tailored to the use of Sanskrit. It is designed to help students engage with tools and methods used in computational linguistics, including web development using HTML, Unicode typing in Devanagari script, optical character recognition (OCR), and text digitisation and preservation.Subhash Chandra, faculty member and course designer, said the course aims to demonstrate the integration of Sanskrit with technology. "We have developed various tools like grammar checkers, speech-to-text applications, and a Sanskrit research database. Through this course, students will learn the coding behind such tools," he said.The curriculum focuses on web-based tool development, Devanagari input systems, multimedia basics, and e-learning concepts for Sanskrit. While it does not offer advanced programming training, it covers basic coding principles that can be applied to build digital platforms for the language.Open to fourth-semester students with working knowledge of Sanskrit, the course incorporates tools created by DU's Computational Linguistics Group and includes references from software theory and logic. A dedicated unit covers OCR for Indian languages, offering insights into available technologies and their applications in preserving ancient texts.The course objective, as outlined in the syllabus, is to introduce students to current research in Sanskrit computing and highlight tools developed with government and private funding. The expected outcome is to provide students with an understanding of computational linguistics in Sanskrit and the potential of digital tools to aid language learning and research.At a recent event, Delhi's Chief Minister Rekha Gupta echoed support for Sanskrit's use in coding. "Even Nasa scientists have written about Sanskrit being a scientific language. It is the most computer-friendly language," she said during the conclusion of a Sanskrit learning programme.Launched in 2014, DU's Computational Linguistics Research and Development for Sanskrit initiative has been focused on developing digital content, language analysis systems, and searchable databases of Sanskrit literature. The department also organises summer programmes for students from other institutions to explore the intersection of Sanskrit and technology (With TOI inputs)
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