AP Telugu and Sanskrit Academy to Celebrate Statewide Sanskrit Week from August 25

R.D. Wilson (Sharath Chandra), Chairman of the Telugu and Sanskrit Academy, has said that Sanskrit plays a vital role in strengthening the spirit of nationalism and should be promoted as a language for everyone rather than being viewed as the preserve of scholars.

Addressing a press conference at the Academy's office in Vaddeswaram on Friday, Wilson said the Academy has launched a focused initiative to make Sanskrit more accessible to the general public by dispelling the long-held misconception that it is meant only for academics and traditional scholars.

He noted that the Andhra Pradesh Sanskrit Academy has not received adequate financial support since its establishment, affecting efforts to promote and develop the language. He stressed that dedicated funding from the state government would significantly expand Sanskrit outreach programmes across Andhra Pradesh.

To secure additional financial assistance, Wilson said the Academy would soon submit a memorandum to officials of the Central Sanskrit University, the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti, and the Union Ministry of Education, seeking support for language development initiatives.

The Academy will organise Sanskrit Week from August 25 to 31 across the state. Educational institutions and Vedic schools in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Kovvur, Tanuku, Guntur, Jillellamudi, Nellore, Tirupati, Kadapa, Anantapur, Kurnool, Gudivada, Vijayawada, and several other locations will host a series of events.

The week-long celebrations will feature quiz competitions on the Mahabharata and Bhagavata, cultural programmes, and felicitation of scholars who have made significant contributions to the promotion and development of Sanskrit. The concluding ceremony is scheduled for August 31 at the Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao Government College of Music in Vijayawada.

Wilson also announced that the Academy will present awards to distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to the Telugu language and culture on August 29, marking the birth anniversary of Gidugu Ramamurthy.

Among those present at the press conference were Academy Deputy Director Dr. Koteswaramma, Dr. S.A.T. Rajyalakshmi, Dr. P. Koti Ratnam, and Sanskrit scholar Dr. P.T.G.V. Rangacharyulu.