Ratna Shukla Anand/Delhi

Professor Meraj Ahmed, chairman of the Department of Sanskrit, of the University of Kashmir, says "Language is only the medium of expression and religion or caste has nothing to do with learning a language.”

Meraj Ahmed, who hails from Patna, is the man who revived the department in the university that had become almost defunct after the exodus of the teachers and students lacking interest in pursuing Sanskrit in Kashmir’s polarized social environment.

Born in Patna, Bihar, Meraj Ahmed was a topper at Patna University and also a gold medalist. He says his father was in the police department and always serious about his children’s education.

In such a situation, Meraj Ahmed was always dreaming of entering Patna University for his higher education. He surpassed all records by obtaining the highest marks in both his graduation and post-graduation degrees in the Sanskrit language.

After fiddling with the idea of joining he choose an academic career and came to the University of Kashmir.

Prof. Meraj says when he charge, the condition of the Sanskrit department was not good; there was a shortage of teachers and naturally fresh batches didn’t happen.

However, gradually he started work and revived the library of the department and introduced modern courses. Today modern Sanskrit is taught.

Of his challenges in the University, Merah Ahmed says, the Department has almost closed down after the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1989.  In 2002 it was sought to be revived with the appointment of two assistant professors.

He says after his appointment, Vice-chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad directed him to start diploma and certificate courses to attract local students. Today, the department has two students in masters, 15 in certificate course and six in diploma course. The applications from 15 students for integrated PhD this year is very encouraging while six are already doing research.

In 2015, the University adopted Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) and the Department of Sanskrit floated Open Elective courses and Generic elective courses to attract more students.

The department has introduced courses like Indian philosophy, Indian culture, Ayurveda, Vedic History, Dharmashastra, Literary Sources of Indian History, Cultural History of Kashmir, Indian poetics and contribution of Kashmir,

According to Meraj Ahmed, a language is a science and its beauty and development can be understood only by those who are interested in its study.

Kalhan, who wrote the history of Kashmir, has a special place among the historians of ancient India. Rajatarangini, written in Sanskrit by Kalhana, is known to give an account of the chronology of Indian history. Its literal meaning is the river of kings; it describes in detail the political history of the era 5,000 years ago.

According to Meraj Ahmed, though Sanskrit has become extinct, Its study is important since it’s the key to knowing Indian history. He says this is a globally recognized reality.

In such a situation, the Sanskrit language can neither be neglected nor should it be confined to any limit.

Meraj Ahmed being a Muslim he never had to face any discrimination while opting to study Sanskrit, He says if that was the case he would have not have got the gold medal or the highest position in the results of MA.

Why is Sanskrit not popular?

Meraj Ahmed says students who wish to study in international institutions prefer a language that works for them, that’s why Sanskrit lags. However, according to a study by Indian and international scientists, reciting Vedic shlokas increases memory power.

Sanskrit is the oldest language of the world and mother of most European languages and that is the reason why it’s said that the one who learns Sanskrit can learn any language easily.