To promote Sanskrit language and Indian culture, the State Government would set up two residential Sanskrit schools in Uttarakhand and hand over their general management to Patanjali Vidhyapeeth. A decision in this regard was taken at a meeting held between the state education and Sanskrit education minister Arvind Pandey and Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali at the state secretariat on Monday. With the addition, the state would now have six residential Sanskrit schools.
Immediately after the meeting, Pandey said that these residential schools with a capacity of one thousand each would be opened at Pauri and Rudrapur. The Government has earmarked A N Jha Inter College in Rudrapur to house the Sanskrit residential school while the land in Pauri is yet be selected, the Minister said.
The State Government would provide land and also construct these schools. Education from class first to Acharya (equivalent to MA) would be imparted in these schools.
Anticipating reaction from the Opposition over the move to involve Patanjali in the operation of these schools, Pandey said that if any other organisation is ready to operate the schools more efficiently than Patanjali the department is ready to offer the schools to them.
Expressing happiness over the development, Acharya Balkrishna said that the Patanjali Vidhyapeeth feels honoured by the Uttarakhand government reposing its faith in it on the Sanskrit schools. He said Vidhyapeeth is working hard to promote Sanskrit and the culture of the land.
Education Minister held a review meeting
Education Minister held a review meeting of the education department at the State secretariat on Monday. During the meeting it was decided that more focus in improving the condition of the Rajiv Gandhi Navodaya Vidhyalayas would be made. The Minister said that 60 percent seats in these schools should be reserved for the students of the Government schools. It was further decided that a student should have studied at least for three years in a government primary school to avail the benefit of the reservation. The minister directed that a process of E- tendering to award canteen contract of these residential schools should be followed.