Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University, Dean of Veda Vedanga: Prof. Jai Kant Singh Sharma Interview

Prof. Jai Kant Singh Sharma is the Dean of Veda Vedanga at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri National Sanskrit University. He did his UG, PG and Ph.D. in Navya Vyakaranam from SLBSRS Vidyapeetha, New Delhi. He has 34 years of teaching experience. Till now, he has published a total of nine journals. He has been awarded various awards including रामधारीशास्त्रपुरस्कार, 2021, राजस्थान संस्कृत अकादमी, जयपुर- राष्ट्रीय, नवलकिशोरकाङ्कर वेदवेदाङ्गपुरस्कार, 2005-06, राजस्थान संस्कृत अकादमी, जयपुर – राष्ट्रीय, वास्मीकि सम्मान – 2016, राष्ट्रीय, उत्तर प्रदेश संस्कृत अकादमी 2017, राष्ट्रीय, विद्यासागर सम्मान 2017, संस्कृतमन्दकिनी, दिल्ली , राष्ट्रीय एवं आचार्यश्रीरामप्रसादत्रिपाठी सम्मान 2018, काशी, राष्ट्रीय. 

What are your primary responsibilities and how do you balance them with other work as a head?

I am the dean of Vedvedanga Peeth of this university, and it is my responsibility that this university achieves its purpose, protects its sacred form. It is worth mentioning that this university has been established for the protection and promotion of various branches of Indian oriental studies. To achieve the vision of the university and to provide an environment for their study and teaching, my role is to preserve the ancient learning about sanskrit that is getting extinct, propagate ancient learning and present their learnings in front of people from the point of view of the present time. Through my knowledge I make students get to know more about the ancient knowledge and the achievement of the goal of making people know about the ancient knowledge is only possible when it is imparted to them in a proper manner . Being the head (dean) of Ved Vedanga Faculty, I make sure that all the subjects under Veda Vedanga are taught through various Acharyas which the students are made to learn and we want to reach to the society through the medium of our students.

What do you see as the biggest challenges you are facing, and how do you think your institution is addressing those challenges?

Few years ago the university was approved as a Central University only, so the expectations have increased accordingly. To meet those expectations is a challenge for us, for that purpose new education policy should be implemented. The biggest challenge is to maintain the quality of education and for that the institution is coming up with various innovative projects, programmes etc. Also to prove the need and usefulness of the traditional education of Sanskrit and provide the people with the importance of ancient education in this modern era stands a very big challenge. To address this challenge the institution is constantly striving to provide the right knowledge to the students which will be a medium to reach out to the society at large.

What do you think sets your institution apart from other colleges and universities?

Shri lal Bahadur Shastri Sanskrit University is a traditional institution where a number of courses are taught like English, Computer, History, Sociology etc. But the prime motive is to protect Sanskrit knowledge. There are in total 15 institutions of Sanskrit in India right now but our university is the only one which provides education about 20 different subjects of Sanskrit in a proper manner to its students. The student can choose the desired subject of Sanskrit according to his/her interest. If any student wants to get ancient knowledge then our university is one of the best among all the Sanskrit universities. The professors of our institute also have complete knowledge about the subject from the start to the end.

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Any suggestions you would like to give to the current youth and the aspiring students?

It is my appeal to the current youth and aspiring students to drop the notion that the Sanskrit language is difficult and that growth is not there after studying this language. Today the scientists have also accepted the fact that Sanskrit is a scientific language. The current youth should have knowledge about it because it will make them have knowledge of the world. It is like a treasure for India, if anyone wants to know about what actually is India then having complete knowledge about the Sanskrit language is very important. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in higher education administration as a dean, and what drew you to your current role?

The fact that inspired me to pursue a career in higher administration as the dean of Vedvedanga Peeth at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Sanskrit University is my interest in this area. Due to my family background, since childhood, I have been attracted to Sanskrit and grammar. My interest has continued to grow due to the environment I was raised in, and my curiosity has led me to this point. Being born in India and acquiring Sanskrit knowledge is of utmost importance to me, as it has shaped who I am today.

What new initiatives has the university taken?

Our University has implemented subjects as per Indian Education Policy in the courses. We have implemented study programs, introduced innovative subjects like Hindu studies and it is continuously moving forward with the determination of a series of schemes to be implemented according to the resources available in future.

What is the strength of your university?

The one major strength of our college that makes it successful and special is the variety of selected scholars and curious, inquisitive students who maintain the quality of this institution. All other factors are related to them only, as the students are the soul of our organization.

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What do you do to increase the quality of education in your University?

The Quality assessment-inspection cell is active in the University to refine and upgrade the Education Quality, which keeps giving advice from time to time for improving quality of education in university and bringing in fresh ideas and approaches.