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Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Delhi University launches course on Sanskrit and Digital Technology to teach coding basics
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
As debate over coding in Sanskrit rages, DU introduces course blending ancient language with web development
New Delhi: Amid the debate around Sanskrit being a suitable language for coding — with some even citing Nasa's supposed use of the ancient language — Delhi University has introduced a course that brings the idea closer to the classroom. Offered by DU's Department of Sanskrit as a discipline-specific elective paper, titled "Computer Applications for Sanskrit", the course aims to equip students with modern computing techniques to develop tools using the Sanskrit language. Discipline-specific electives are optional courses that students can select from a range of available choices. This particular course will be accessible as an elective option to all Sanskrit students enrolled across various colleges in DU. Subhash Chandra, a faculty member at the Sanskrit department who developed the course and teaches computational linguistics, said the aim is to show students how Sanskrit can be integrated with technology. "We also have a website where we display some tools that we have developed using coding in Sanskrit. Some of these include language analysers, grammar checkers, speech tools — similar to those in Hindi that convert speech to text — and a Sanskrit research database. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo In this course, we will teach students coding to develop such tools," he said. The course syllabus will cover web-based tools development, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and webpage creation, alongside Unicode typing in Devanagari, OCR applications, and text digitisation and preservation. It will introduce students to interactive Sanskrit learning platforms and discuss the need for such tools in Sanskrit education. The module also includes e-learning concepts and multimedia basics. A dedicated section on Unicode will focus on typing in Devanagari script (alphabet used for Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian languages), introducing students to relevant software and keyboard tools. Another unit is centred on the tools and techniques used for text processing and preservation of Sanskrit texts. The final unit explores Optical Character Recognition (OCR) applications for Sanskrit and other Indian languages, offering insights into the current technologies and developments in the field. While the course does not teach full-fledged programming, it introduces basic coding and digital skills to help students create interactive tools and platforms in Sanskrit — aligning, in part, with the broader narrative of giving ancient Indian languages a technological future. It is open to fourth-semester students with a working knowledge of Sanskrit and draws from tools developed by DU's Computational Linguistics Group and texts on software theory and logic. The objective of the paper, as stated in the syllabus, is to "introduce the current researches and developments in Sanskrit computing. The primary emphasis will be on tools and techniques developed under govt and private funding and on exploring new technologies for Sanskrit". The learning outcomes add: "The students will get an overview of computational works undertaken in the field of Sanskrit and a clear idea about how a range of practical linguistic tasks of Sanskrit can be done by developing CL systems. And, they will also know how CL tools can facilitate the learning and teaching process in the field of Sanskrit." On May 4, chief minister Rekha Gupta, speaking at the closing ceremony of a 10-day Sanskrit learning initiative, voiced support for the potential the language holds in the field of coding. "Even Nasa scientists have written papers on Sanskrit and confirmed that it is a scientific language. Coding can be done in Sanskrit. It is the most computer-friendly language," she said. Such assertions have sparked renewed discussions on the applicability of Sanskrit in contemporary computing, with DU's course now offering a practical academic framework to explore the language's digital possibilities. The Computational Linguistics Research and Development for Sanskrit initiative at DU's Department of Sanskrit was launched in 2014 under the supervision of Chandra. The group focuses on developing e-learning tools, creating digital content for Sanskrit scientific texts, building language analysis tools, and digitising Sanskrit literature for searchable online access. The department also runs a summer school that invites students from other universities to participate in a programme termed the "emerging intersection of Sanskrit and technology".
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Sanskrit for coding? DU introduces course to explore ancient language's role in modern computing
NEW DELHI: Amid the debate around Sanskrit being a suitable language for coding - with some even citing Nasa's supposed use of the ancient language - Delhi University has introduced a course that brings the idea closer to the classroom. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Offered by DU's Department of Sanskrit as a discipline-specific elective paper, titled "Computer Applications for Sanskrit", the course aims to equip students with modern computing techniques to develop tools using the Sanskrit language. Discipline-specific electives are optional courses that students can select from a range of available choices. This particular course will be accessible as an elective option to all Sanskrit students enrolled across various colleges in DU. Subhash Chandra, a faculty member at the Sanskrit department who developed the course and teaches computational linguistics, said the aim is to show students how Sanskrit can be integrated with technology. "We also have a website where we display some tools that we have developed using coding in Sanskrit. Some of these include language analysers, grammar checkers, speech tools - similar to those in Hindi that convert speech to text - and a Sanskrit research database. In this course, we will teach students coding to develop such tools," he said. The course syllabus will cover web-based tools development, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and webpage creation, alongside Unicode typing in Devanagari, OCR applications, and text digitisation and preservation. It will introduce students to interactive Sanskrit learning platforms and discuss the need for such tools in Sanskrit education. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The module also includes e-learning concepts and multimedia basics. A dedicated section on Unicode will focus on typing in Devanagari script (alphabet used for Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian languages), introducing students to relevant software and keyboard tools. Another unit is centred on the tools and techniques used for text processing and preservation of Sanskrit texts. The final unit explores Optical Character Recognition (OCR) applications for Sanskrit and other Indian languages, offering insights into the current technologies and developments in the field. While the course does not teach full-fledged programming, it introduces basic coding and digital skills to help students create interactive tools and platforms in Sanskrit - aligning, in part, with the broader narrative of giving ancient Indian languages a technological future. It is open to fourth-semester students with a working knowledge of Sanskrit and draws from tools developed by DU's Computational Linguistics Group and texts on software theory and logic. The objective of the paper, as stated in the syllabus, is to "introduce the current researches and developments in Sanskrit computing. The primary emphasis will be on tools and techniques developed under govt and private funding and on exploring new technologies for Sanskrit". The learning outcomes add: "The students will get an overview of computational works undertaken in the field of Sanskrit and a clear idea about how a range of practical linguistic tasks of Sanskrit can be done by developing CL systems. And, they will also know how CL tools can facilitate the learning and teaching process in the field of Sanskrit." On May 4, chief minister Rekha Gupta, speaking at the closing ceremony of a 10-day Sanskrit learning initiative, voiced support for the potential the language holds in the field of coding. "Even Nasa scientists have written papers on Sanskrit and confirmed that it is a scientific language. Coding can be done in Sanskrit. It is the most computer-friendly language," she said. Such assertions have sparked renewed discussions on the applicability of Sanskrit in contemporary computing, with DU's course now offering a practical academic framework to explore the language's digital possibilities. The Computational Linguistics Research and Development for Sanskrit initiative at DU's Department of Sanskrit was launched in 2014 under the supervision of Chandra. The group focuses on developing e-learning tools, creating digital content for Sanskrit scientific texts, building language analysis tools, and digitising Sanskrit literature for searchable online access. The department also runs a summer school that invites students from other universities to participate in a programme termed the "emerging intersection of Sanskrit and technology".
The National
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Saudi engineer turns Crown Prince's gesture to Trump into viral emoji
It was a gesture seen around the world. Now, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's heartfelt reaction to US President Donald Trump could soon become an emoji, if one software engineer has his way. Ali Almatrafi, who lives in Riyadh, created the emoji after he saw many Saudis reacting warmly to the interaction between the Crown Prince and Trump at the US-Saudi Investment Forum during the American President's visit to the Kingdom. The moment was captured when Trump announced the cessation of sanctions against Syria, which was met with huge applause. A smiling Crown Prince Mohammed was then seen clapping and holding his hands over his chest. "It was a spontaneous and heartfelt symbol of gratitude and a very Arab reaction," Almatrafi tells The National. "A lot of Saudis were touched by it and I felt like I needed to do something to capture the moment. "There is a Japanese kimono emoji, Indians have the sari, the French have a baguette emoji and there are emojis representing Russian and Chinese cultures. But we don't have anything that is distinctly Saudi or Arab or Gulf." Almatrafi's emoji shows a smiling male character, dressed in a traditional white thobe and red and white shemagh or headdress, with both hands clasped on his chest. In the Arab world, placing the palm of the right hand on the heart or chest is often used as a sign of gratitude. While creating the emoji took Almatrafi only a few hours, drafting the proposal was a laborious process, he says. Unicode Consortium, the non-profit that approves all emojis, has strict criteria for submission, with approvals taking a minimum of two years. Once approved, it could still be months or years before they eventually appear on devices. Almatrafi says his emoji is meant to be used to convey gratitude. "It's not really a thank you, but to communicate utmost gratitude. Like when someone does you a favour and you want to show how much you appreciate it from the bottom of your heart. It's very Arab," he says. Whether or not it gets approved, the Saudi software engineer is glad his creation has already sparked conversations about Saudi culture and identity and about Crown Prince Mohammed. His recent post about the emoji on X has garnered hundreds of retweets and more than 3.6 million views. "I create things like this all the time, but never has something I've done gone viral," says Almatrafi, who is the head of curriculum at Tuwaiq Academy, the Saudi Arabian institute that trains people in cybersecurity. "I'm glad I've helped to raise awareness about Saudis and about Gulf culture and also got people talking about His Highness Mohammed bin Salman and what he's doing for the development of Saudi Arabia." During Trump's visit, AI-generated images of him in a local dress were also widely shared online by Saudis, reflecting the strong favourable impression he's made on the Kingdom. The images showed Trump in traditional attire with a white thobe and a red-and-white headdress held in place with a black agal. For Almatrafi, the biggest reward is that Saudis have given his emoji an overwhelming thumbs up. "The main prize for me is that so many Saudis and people in the Gulf region are already loving it and using it," he says. "Such support and love were something I did not expect."
Khaleej Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Saudi Crown Prince's viral thank you gesture to Trump could soon be an emoji
When US President Donald Trump made an announcement to lift sanctions on Syria during his recent Middle-East tour, it was Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince's reaction that caught everyone's attention. Expressing gratitude to Trump, Mohammed bin Salman had placed his hands on his chest — a gesture that spread all over Saudi and Arabic social media with people recreating it in images and videos. Now, MBS' viral gesture could soon become an emoji. Saudi software engineer Ali Al-Mutairi has submitted a proposal to the Unicode Consortium for the creation of a new hand-on-the-chest emoji inspired by the Saudi Crown Prince. Sharing his motivation for proposing the emoji, Al-Mutairi told Khaleej Times: "It was a sincere moment that caught the world's attention, and I felt it deserved to be immortalised in the language of the era: emoji. This gesture has become popular and is now used to express deep appreciation in many humanitarian situations." Al-Mutairi said the emoji's design, reflecting Saudi and Gulf values of gratitude and respect while adapting to the region's evolving digital expressions, has officially been submitted to the Unicode Consortium in accordance with approved standards. He emphasised, "Many cultures are already represented in emojis, such as the Japanese kimono, the Indian sari, and the Russian matryoshka doll. Now it's time for Saudi and Gulf cultures to be recognised in this global language." The proposal is currently under review by Unicode and has generated unprecedented interaction on social media, with one of Al-Mutairi's tweets about the emoji amassing over 3.2 million views in less than 24 hours. For Al-Mutairi, the creation of this emoji is also about ensuring that it is available for global use. "This type of project represents us all, and it's worth joining forces to deliver our symbols and culture to global platforms, in our own language and with our own unique touch." Symbol of appreciation and solidarity People across Saudi Arabia, as well as Syrians and others across the Arab world, recreated the move in videos and pictures, making it an iconic symbol of appreciation and solidarity. Saudis, in particular, showcased their admiration by sharing videos and photos mimicking the gesture, a powerful expression of pride and respect for their leadership. Syrians, too, joined in, using the same gesture to celebrate the Crown Prince's support for the lifting of sanctions on Syria. One Syrian expat, Basel Al-Hamwi, based in Sharjah, said the decision meant a lot to Syrians all over the world. He expressed deep gratitude toward Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his role in supporting the lifting of sanctions on Syria. "This moment meant so much to us," he said. "After years of hardship, seeing a regional leader like the Crown Prince stand in support of Syria gave us hope again. It wasn't just a political gesture,it felt personal, like someone was finally acknowledging our pain and offering a hand." Basel added that the viral hand-on-the-chest gesture symbolised that support perfectly, and many Syrians saw it as "a sign of sincere solidarity that we'll never forget." Cultural identity On social media platform X, user @fathi_adawi described the Crown Prince's gesture as one that transcended its original context to embody the warmth and generosity that have long defined Saudi culture. He stated, "This greeting, combining human warmth and deep appreciation, was not merely a fleeting gesture but transformed into an expressive icon emulated by young and old alike." The movement resonated deeply, with many people, from young to old, emulating the gesture, and it quickly became a viral expression of unity and love for the nation and its leadership. As @fathi_adawi continued, "The Crown Prince's greeting is not just a movement of hands; it is a message of love and unity, demonstrating how leaders can inspire their people with simple gestures carrying profound meanings. Since that day, this greeting has become a slogan reflecting the Kingdom's renewed spirit and a bridge connecting generations in a splendid scene pulsating with pride and belonging."
