World Sanskrit Day (August 23, 2024)

World Sanskrit Day, also known as Vishva-Samskrita-Dinam, is celebrated annually on the full moon day of Shravan. The day is dedicated to promoting and preserving the ancient language of Sanskrit, which is not only the foundation of many Indian languages but also a treasure trove of India’s ancient knowledge and heritage.

Historical Significance: Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world and has a rich literary tradition, including the Vedas, Upanishads, epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and numerous other ancient texts. The language is considered the mother of many modern Indian languages and has also influenced languages worldwide.

Impact of the Event: World Sanskrit Day helps revive interest in Sanskrit, especially among the younger generation. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting this ancient language. The event fosters a sense of cultural pride and encourages educational institutions to incorporate more Sanskrit studies into their curricula.

To further promote Sanskrit, we need to unlearn the notion that it is a "dying" language and Emphasize its relevance in modern contexts.

Exciting Outcomes to Watch in 2024:

1. On the occasion of World Sanskrit Day, AuroBharati, Sri Aurobindo Society, Union Territory of Puducherry presents a Week-long Celebration of the Sanskrit language on the theme ‘Vedic Heritage and Tradition’ from 19-25 August 2024.
2. A four-day celebration is scheduled around World Sanskrit Day, celebrated on the full moon of the Indian month of Shrāva?a, the auspicious occasion of Rak?hā Bandhana, which falls on August 19 this year. Shanta Bulkin, co-founder of the East-West Sanskrit Institute based in California, organized the event in honor of the ancient language of Sanskrit. The School of Sanskrit at Ananda Ashram (part of ISEWU / International Schools of East-West Unity) hosts it.
3. It also honors the extraordinary teaching legacy of Ashram Founder Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati (Shri Ramamurti) and of Professor Ram Karan Sharma, world-renowned Sanskrit scholar and poet.

From the event, we learn the importance of preserving and nurturing the foundational elements of our culture and organization. Just as Sanskrit is the root of much of India's intellectual heritage, understanding and investing in an organization's core strengths can lead to sustained success and innovation.

Joel Sadhanad is a learning and development veteran, leadership coach, facilitator, and speaker.

He is the author of The Unexpected Leader ( https://amzn.in/d/024XkMtm ) . A racy narrative set in a fictitious organization about Artificial Intelligence taking over leadership roles.

Joel sadhanand also offers pro-bono 1-1 personal coaching for anyone looking to enjoy a reflective conversation.

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