Latest news with #UtkalUniversity
News18
5 days ago
- General
- News18
'Sanskrit Going Extinct, Only Census Can Save It!': Truth Behind Viral Claim
Last Updated: Social media warns Sanskrit faces extinction without census support. But with ongoing use in rituals and education, the language remains alive and actively preserved A message circulating on social media warns of the possible extinction of the Sanskrit language, urging citizens to declare Sanskrit as their first language in the upcoming national census. The claim suggests that failure to do so may result in Sanskrit being labelled as 'extinct', which could subsequently lead to the withdrawal of government grants, educational assistance, and preservation efforts. While it is accurate that Sanskrit is spoken by a relatively small number of people today, this limited usage does not imply the language is extinct. The Census Push Social media posts claim that the census will be concluded by March 2027, and encourage people to select 'Sanskrit' when asked about their mother tongue and languages known. Although Sanskrit is not widely spoken in everyday conversation, it is still regularly used in daily worship, chanting, the recitation of shlokas, and during religious rituals. According to the 2011 Census of India, 24,821 people reported Sanskrit as their first language, a significant rise from 14,135 in the 2001 census. In certain villages such as Dimmar in Uttarakhand, Mattur in Karnataka, and Jhiri in Madhya Pradesh, Sanskrit remains in active daily use. Sanskrit, regarded as India's oldest and original language, holds deep cultural and religious significance. Various efforts continue to support its preservation. Numerous universities across India and abroad offer courses in Sanskrit, and some Indian states include the language as a compulsory or optional subject in schools. Educational institutions like Utkal University and the National Sanskrit University are dedicated to the teaching and research of Sanskrit. Furthermore, government bodies, including the Ministry of Education, have specific budget allocations for Sanskrit's promotion, and separate grants are provided to institutions engaged in its study and preservation. Census And Language Policy: Understanding The Link The census is a key instrument in collecting data related to population, socio-economic indicators, education levels, and languages spoken. This information assists in the creation of government policies and development plans. Data concerning the number of speakers of a language can help indicate whether targeted support or special schemes are necessary for its preservation. However, government grants and support for a language are not determined solely by the number of speakers. Factors such as a language's historical, cultural, and constitutional status also play a significant role. Sanskrit, for instance, is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which formally recognises its official importance. What Constitutes Language Extinction? A Closer Look The decision to classify a language as 'extinct' is not made lightly. It involves defined criteria established by international organisations such as UNESCO. A language is considered extinct when no person speaks it as their mother tongue and no younger generation is learning it. While several Indian languages are indeed endangered and at risk of extinction, the suggestion that Sanskrit will lose government support unless listed as a first language in the census is inaccurate and overstated. Sanskrit's Enduring Significance And Future Outlook Despite a decline in its everyday use, Sanskrit continues to be preserved through religious, educational, and scholarly practices. The language's historical, cultural, and religious value ensures that it remains eligible for ongoing government and institutional support, backed by dedicated budget allocations and national recognition. In conclusion, while raising awareness about Sanskrit's role and encouraging its learning is important, the claim that it faces extinction or funding loss unless declared as a first language in the census lacks factual basis. The language remains a living cultural treasure, supported by a broad network of public and academic institutions. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 17, 2025, 10:17 IST News explainers 'Sanskrit Going Extinct, Only Census Can Save It!': Truth Behind Viral Claim | Fact Check Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Odisha High Court tells state govt to speed up regular V-C appointment in public universities
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Tuesday scheduled July 23 for further hearing on the PIL alleging violation of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989, in appointing a university faculty member as acting vice-chancellor of Utkal University. High Court lawyer and Utkal University alumnus Prabir Kumar Das filed the PIL which specifically challenged the Chancellor's notification dated May 27, 2025, designating Professor Jagneshwar Dandapat, as in-charge V-C until a regular appointment is made. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman focused on Section 6(10) of the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act, 2024 - notified on April 17, 2025 - which now permits the Chancellor, in consultation with the state government, to appoint any vice-chancellor of a public university in the state as acting V-C, instead of restricting the choice to V-Cs from neighbouring universities. The bench noted that the recent amendment sets a maximum period of one year (including extensions) for such interim arrangements. It also took note of a recent Supreme Court directive to expedite permanent V-C appointments, with the state already initiating the process. Appreciating the state's intent to rectify the issue, the court underscored the need to strictly adhere to the statutory provisions. Advocate general Pitambar Acharya assured the bench that he would personally review the matter to ensure compliance with the law. The court has directed the state to take appropriate corrective steps before then. On June 24, the court had observed that Section 6(8) of the Act allows the Chancellor to extend the outgoing V-C's term for up to six months, but the current notification failed to meet this criterion. 'Prime facie, the issue raised needs to be determined finally, as this may become a recurring feature in other universities as well,' the bench remarked. Utkal University has been operating without a regular vice-chancellor since November 24, 2024, following the expiry of the previous incumbent's term.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HC raises concerns over delay in appointing permanent VC of Utkal varsity
Cuttack: Orissa high court has raised concerns over the delay in appointing a permanent vice-chancellor (VC) for Utkal University and questioned the legality of the interim appointment made by the chancellor, governor Hari Babu Kambhampati. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The post has remained vacant since Nov 24, 2024, following the end of the previous VC's term. On May 27, 2025, the chancellor appointed Jagneshwar Dandapat, a senior professor at the university's biotechnology department, as the in-charge VC. However, a PIL filed by high court lawyer and Utkal University alumnus Prabir Kumar Das challenged the appointment, alleging a violation of the Odisha Universities Act, 1989. The petition contended that the notification did not comply with the provisions of Section 6(10) of the Act which outlines the procedure for appointing an acting VC. Taking note of the issue, a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman, observed on July 8 that the recent amendment to the Act, notified on April 17, 2025, allows the chancellor, in consultation with the state govt, to appoint any sitting VC of a public university in Odisha as a stopgap arrangement, with a maximum term of one year. The state govt informed the court that following a Supreme Court directive, the process for appointing permanent VCs across universities has already begun and will be completed shortly. While appreciating the state's response, the court stressed that 'the provisions of the law must be respected and followed in letter and spirit'. Advocate general Pitambar Acharya assured the bench that he would personally look into the matter and take corrective measures if any violation is found. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 23, directing the state to take 'appropriate steps' by then.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bharat Bandh disrupts daily life in Odisha; bus services hit, protestors block roads; demands raised against labour laws
BHUBANESWAR: Normal life went out of gear in several places in Odisha on Wednesday due to the Bharat Bandh call given by trade unions and farmers' outfits. They were protesting the implementation of four labour codes, the increase in working hours, and the decriminalisation of violations of labour laws by employers. Common people faced difficulties as buses were not plying on most of the routes in the state. Though trains were running as usual, people were anxious about whether protestors might picket at stations by stopping the trains. 'I have urgent work in Phulbani, but I am not getting a bus now. There is no train connectivity to Phulbani, so I do not have any other way to reach my destination. Some buses are assuring me that they may ply during the evening, but the marriage ceremony will be over by the time I reach there,' said Manohar Digal while waiting for a bus at Baramunda bus terminal. A similar situation was witnessed at Cuttack's Netaji bus terminal and other bus stands in the state. As most areas in the state are not connected with railway networks, people still depend on bus services. Fearing any face-off with protestors, many bus owners have stopped running buses on different routes connecting Bhubaneswar. Around 10 trade unions, farmers' outfits led by Samyukt Kisan Morcha, and agricultural workers' unions supported the all-India strike. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo by Taboola by Taboola They staged demonstrations in front of railway stations, bus stands/terminals, govt offices, highways, and busy squares as a mark of protest in different district and block headquarters in the state. They also conducted picketing at busy squares of cities, in front of different central govt offices, and major institutions, demanding the fulfilment of their 17-point charter of demands. In the capital city, protestors staged a demonstration at Master Canteen, in front of the Bhubaneswar railway station, blocking vehicular traffic for an hour in the morning as a mark of protest. A workers' union conducted picketing in front of Utkal University's main gate. Tuesday's drivers' strike, which blocked the plying of private buses and public transport vehicles, leaving passengers in the lurch, added salt to the wound of the bus services on Wednesday. 'As many protestors from the drivers' association were stopping the buses and asking the drivers not to drive the vehicles, the fear is still there in the minds of bus drivers. Though a few buses are running, I hope the whole bus service will resume by Wednesday evening. We are monitoring the situation,' said Debendra Sahu, General Secretary of the All Odisha Private Bus Owners' Association. Mahendra Parida, a trade union leader, said the govt has literally given a green signal to employers to exploit labourers and employees by increasing working hours and not increasing the minimum wage of labourers. 'The four labour codes are anti-labour and anti-people reforms. We are protesting this,' he added.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Orissa HC seeks response on full-time Utkal University V-C posting
CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has sought response from the government on appointment of regular vice-chancellor of Utkal University, the premier public university of the state. Acting on a PIL filed by advocate Prabir Kumar Das, the bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman scheduled the next hearing for July 8 and directed the state counsel to take instructions by then. In his petition, Das pointed out that the University has been without a regular vice- chancellor since November 24 2024. He moved the court after his representation to the Chancellor on March 1, 2025 for taking immediate action to ensure appointment of a regular vice-chancellor evoked no action. Das has sought intervention against inaction of the state government in appointing a regular vice-chancellor of Utkal University in accordance with the mandate contained in Section 6 (1) of Universities Act, 1989. The Utkal University has 27 post-graduate departments with 5,000 students. It has 16 autonomous 298 degree and 149 professional colleges under its administration. The university is currently functioning under in-charge V-C Professor Jagneshwar Dandapat.
