Bold shift: two Pakistani universities are teaching Sanskrit to bridge cultural divides. In Punjab, the University of Punjab Lahore (a public institution) and the private Lahore University of Management Sciences have rolled out three-month Sanskrit courses. These offerings leverage Punjab University’s rich Sanskrit manuscript collection and come after months of preparation, with the program officially starting in 2025 and building on momentum from the prior year. The project is framed as a way to close historical gaps and open up new cultural perspectives for the region.
Prof. Dr. Ashok Kumar of Punjab University’s Hindi Department notes the potential for expanding to a full three-year program, which would enable students to read foundational texts such as the Gita and the Mahabharata. Growing student interest—predominantly from Muslim learners—adds a layer of significance, suggesting that this educational effort could promote broader South Asian cultural unity.
(With inputs from agencies.)
