World Sanskrit Day 2025: Modi, VP Radhakrishnan call for preserving ancient language
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 28 August extended greetings on World Sanskrit Day, urging collective efforts to preserve and promote the ancient language's enduring contribution to India's knowledge, philosophy, culture, and intellectual traditions. Senior leaders across the political spectrum joined in, marking the occasion with appeals to connect future generations to Sanskrit's legacy.
VP Radhakrishnan's Appeal
In a post on X, Vice President Radhakrishnan described Sanskrit as the 'timeless language of India's knowledge, philosophy, and civilization,' saying it has shaped the country's cultural heritage and intellectual traditions 'for ages untold.' He called on citizens to collectively preserve, promote, and propagate the language. 'Let us resolve to preserve, promote, and propagate this invaluable treasure of Sanskrit, connecting future generations to its eternal tradition of wisdom while enhancing its significance in the modern world,' Radhakrishnan said.
PM Modi on Sanskrit's Continuing Relevance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a message delivered in Sanskrit, marked the occasion of Shravan Purnima, noting that the language has been a continuous carrier of India's knowledge, thought, and creativity. 'On this special day, we appreciate all those in India and around the world who study and teach Sanskrit and who are striving to pass on the timeless treasure contained in it to the next generation,' Modi said. He added that Sanskrit's positive influence remains visible across several fields even today.
Home Minister Shah and Other Leaders Join In
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described Sanskrit as the 'foundational bedrock of India's tradition of knowledge, culture, and consciousness,' noting that the Vedas, Upanishads, and Shastras — composed in Sanskrit — have illuminated the path of knowledge for humanity for centuries. 'My respectful salutations to all scholars and teachers who have made unforgettable contributions to the preservation and dissemination of the Sanskrit language,' Shah said.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta called Sanskrit an 'invaluable heritage' of India's civilisation, highlighting its role in the Vedas, Upanishads, philosophy, literature, and science. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath went further, describing the language as 'the divine expression of India's eternal tradition of knowledge, philosophy, science, and culture,' and urged all to resolve to propagate it widely. 'In the prestige of India, there are two Sanskrits: Sanskrit and culture,' Adityanath said.
What World Sanskrit Day Represents
World Sanskrit Day is observed annually on the day of Shravan Purnima to celebrate the ancient Indian language and its extensive contributions to literature, philosophy, science, and spirituality. The occasion also serves as a platform to encourage study, teaching, and preservation of Sanskrit among younger generations. Notably, the coordinated messaging from the Centre and multiple state governments reflects a sustained institutional push to mainstream Sanskrit within India's contemporary cultural and educational discourse — a trend that has gathered momentum over the past decade.