Restoring the Mother of All Languages: Yogi Adityanath's Commitment to Sanskrit The world is increasingly becoming modern and tech-savvy, and the revival of ancient traditions finds its place in the periphery. But in the heart of India, one leader has made a loud and necessary commitment to restore the grandeur of a language that has been the bedrock of the country's spiritual and intellectual heritage-Sanskrit. Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Yogi Adityanath is not merely the chief minister of a state but a guardian of a legacy that shaped civilisations. His zeal to revive Sanskrit, originally considered 'Devavani' or the gods' language, is an example of his farsightedness in understanding its deeper significance. Sanskrit hailed as the mother of all languages, was unfortunately relegated to obscurity for centuries. What was once the lingua franca of scholars and intellectuals slowly lost its stature during colonial rule, which systematically attempted to replace indigenous knowledge systems with Western systems. The post-colonial period brought little respite, as successive governments and their modernisation frenzy failed to give back to the language its pristine glory. That was until Yogi Adityanath took over the reins of power. For the first time, a change in this story comes along. A Lifelong Commitment: The Oath in Sanskrit Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath does not exhibit his new-found love for Sanskrit. His words date back to his first oath-taking ceremony as a Member of Parliament in 1998, when he chose to recite his oath in Sanskrit, promising lifelong allegiance to the language. It was not merely a symbolism; it was to declare his commitment to interweaving the ancient with the contemporary to ensure that Sanskrit does not remain a museum piece but emerges and continues to be a living, breathing language. As most of us know, Yogi Adityanath loves ancient things in their original form. It's some sort of commitment, how he tried to return many of the ancient cities to their former names, showing respect for tradition and history. A Renaissance in Education: Scholarships, Schools, and Recognition Under his able leadership, the Uttar Pradesh government has started several initiatives for the revival and promotion of Sanskrit education. For decades, Sanskrit schools and colleges had been in a state of disuse, and their students were highly discriminated against in terms of funding. Bucking the trend, the Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government has increased scholarships for students of Sanskrit institutions, many of whom come from humble backgrounds. The expansion of scholarships to include students from classes 6 and 7, who were previously ineligible, is a testament to the inclusive approach of his government. Also, all income limitations on scholarship eligibility have been removed so that anyone who wants to study Sanskrit can do so without financial burdens. In a first-of-its-kind move, after a gap of 17 years, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government started giving recognition to new Sanskrit secondary schools. This steps up the administration's commitment towards the proliferation of the language. Setting up 15 new residential Sanskrit schools has been another feather in the cap wherein students can plunge into the study of this ancient language. But Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's dream goes beyond that. His administration has also made provisions for ₹100 Crores for the development and improvement of infrastructure at 900 aided Sanskrit secondary schools in the state. These funds are being spent on ensuring that Sanskrit institutions are not only surviving but thriving, suitably equipped with modern resources to impart modern education which yet honours the ancient tradition. Perhaps the most innovative move by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration is a missed-call Sanskrit teaching scheme. This program has already introduced over 10,000 people to the basics of Sanskrit, turning what used to be an inaccessible language into one which can be picked up and spoken. The program reflects the administration's commitment to making Sanskrit a language of the people, not just scholars. Further, the Uttar Pradesh Secondary Sanskrit Education Council was reconstituted in 2017 under the directions of Adityanath after it had been defunct for 16 years. The council today is very active in standardising and promoting Sanskrit education throughout the state. The digitisation of records and the creation of an online presence for Sanskrit schools brought these institutions into the 21st century and ensured more transparency and accessibility. Sanskrit as a Language of Governance His efforts also range from promoting Sanskrit as a language of governance. For the first time in the history of the State, the press releases are issued in Sanskrit, along with Hindi and English. That is not just symbolic but a loud statement that Sanskrit is not only the language of the past, but it finds its place in modern administrative India. Integrating Ancient Wisdom with Modern Education The Chief Minister's dream of Sanskrit also flows into integrating the language with modern education. Now, the Sanskrit schools run an NCERT-based curriculum and are imparting 'contemporary' subjects so that the students turn out well-versed in ancient wisdom and modern knowledge. The investment by the government, which includes a budget of ₹324 Crores for grants to Sanskrit schools, explains the seriousness of this attempt. Besides education reforms, the Yogi Adityanath government has also linked Sanskrit education with employment opportunities. Courses in priesthood (Pujari), rituals, astrology, and yoga fields in which demands are increasing are being provided; and this ensures gainful employment to Sanskrit students while preserving and promoting their cultural heritage. The Global Impact of Reviving Sanskrit The significance of these efforts can’t be ignored. Sanskrit is not just a mere language; it is the repository of the spiritual, and philosophical knowledge of India, be it scientific or otherwise. By promoting Sanskrit, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is not only saving a very vital part of India's heritage but also giving the country the only foundation upon which its future can be based. The use of Sanskrit in artificial intelligence coding is only one example of how this ancient language can contribute to modern science and technology. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is restoring Sanskrit to its rightful place as a symbol of national pride and global respect. This effort highlights the importance of honouring and integrating ancient wisdom into modern society. Under his guidance, the resurgence of Sanskrit is not just a cultural revival but a way to reaffirm India’s rich heritage and its enduring influence in the world.