Bhopal: At the time when Sanskrit is facing diminishing user base, a senior policeman from Madhya Pradesh has got marriage invitations of his daughter printed in the very same language.
A police officer by profession and literature lover at heart, Deputy Superintendent of Police Chaudhary Madan Mohan ‘Samar’ explained the reason behind it in impeccable Hindi.
“I was upset with the fact that despite not being our own language English has become the status symbol for the so-called elite class, which likes to use English when sending invitations. I wished to underline importance of Sanskrit, which is our ancient language and source of all languages in the world,” said the officer.
The officer, whose daughter, Aastha, is getting married on February 4, said: “Officially, I like to do work in Hindi and once someone starts conversing with me in English, I start speaking Sanskrit. I am not against English but our own languages – Hindi and Sanskrit – should be given the respect they deserve.”
He claimed, several languages have borrowed their vocabulary from Sanskrit, including Hindi, and unknowingly we use 10% of Sanskrit words in day-to-day life and this is the richness of this language.
Despite Punjabi being his mother tongue, ‘Samar’ has gained command on Hindi and read Sanskrit a lot in his life.
This is not the first time ‘Samar’ has opted for Sanskrit for sending invitations.
“My son got married on December 1 and that time too I got the invitation cards printed in Sanskrit,” said the officer, who claims that he received warm response from the friends and relatives for his linguistic initiative.
‘Samar’ has written two books: Samay: Samay Ke Sakshay and Siyalkot Ki Sarhad; he has also taken part in several poetic conventions, however, he feels sorry for the state of affairs Sanskrit is in.
The officer said the language requires patronage and linkages need to be built when it comes to vocational training.
He also stressed that this language needs plenty of awareness and that it is not a complicated language.