Sanskrit and the Indian Knowledge Tradition: A Celebration at Amity

Amity University, Noida, through the Amity Institute of Sanskrit Studies and Research (AISSR), organised Sanskrit Week from 25 August to 3 September 2026, featuring a range of academic and cultural activities aimed at developing students’ interest in Sanskrit and India’s rich knowledge tradition. The week included competitions and programmes such as Shloka Path, Gita Path, Shloka Antyakshari and essay writing. The

celebrations culminated in a grand closing ceremony on 3 September 2026.

The closing ceremony featured Shloka Recitation and Speech Competitions, with the themes “Sanskritenihitam Rashtravaibhavam” (The Glory of the Nation Embedded in Sanskrit) and “Vikasitabharate Sanskritasya Yogadanam” (The Contribution of Sanskrit to a Developed India). More than 50 students from Delhi University, Central Sanskrit University, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, and other institutions and colleges across Delhi-NCR participated enthusiastically. Outstanding participants were recognised with first, second, third and consolation prizes.

The ceremony was attended by scholars and faculty members who contributed to the academic character of the occasion. Dr. Ashok Kumar Mishra of Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, New Delhi, served as a judge and appreciated the students’ enthusiasm, talent and active engagement with Sanskrit. Prof. (Dr.) Mahima Gupta, Head of the Institute, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the contemporary relevance of Sanskrit and its role in preserving and strengthening the Indian knowledge tradition. Dr. Vibhakar Kumar Dixit spoke about the Institute’s academic initiatives, including free teaching, preparation for competitive examinations and student-oriented, employment-focused activities. Dr. Devendra Nath Ojha played an important role in coordinating the arrangements for the successful conduct of the programme.

The Chief Guest, Medhavi Jain, Founder of Dharma For Life, shared her personal journey with Sanskrit, describing her relationship with the language as one shaped by several “intervening circumstances”. Although she first encountered Sanskrit in school and studied it briefly, her academic journey initially took her towards other languages. Her later engagement with Jain philosophy brought her back to Sanskrit, particularly through Sanskrit translations and commentaries of Prakrit Jain texts. She reflected on how unexpected turns in life can eventually lead us towards subjects we never imagined studying.

She spoke particularly about the connection between Sanskrit and the Jain intellectual tradition. While Prakrit is the principal language of the Jain Agamas, Jain Acharyas began composing important works in Sanskrit from the early centuries CE. She referred to Acharya Umasvami’s Tattvartha Sutra and its celebrated opening aphorism, “Samyagdarshanajnanacharitrani Mokshamargah”, emphasising the importance of right understanding, right knowledge and right conduct.

Drawing from her own experiences, she highlighted several distinctive qualities associated with Sanskrit—including its rich vocabulary, disciplined pronunciation, contribution to memory and the alignment of mana, vachana and kaya (mind, speech and action). She encouraged students to approach Sanskrit not merely as an ancient language but as a living vehicle of knowledge, discipline and cultural understanding.

The programme concluded with acknowledgements to the guests, judges, participants, faculty members and organisers. The Sanskrit Week initiative ultimately served as a meaningful platform for connecting students with Sanskrit, Indian culture and the wider Indian knowledge tradition, while encouraging them to remain humble, curious and lifelong learners.