Language Defines One's Identity – Prof. Shastri

Udaipur: Sanskrit is a treasure trove of 1.5 billion amazing words and is considered the most useful language in computing. Prof. Yogananad Shastri emphasized that without Sanskrit, it is impossible to fully understand history.

These views were expressed by Prof. Yogananad Shastri, the chief speaker at the concluding session of the Language and Culture Festival 2025, organized jointly by Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University) and Anjuman Tarakki Urdu, Rajasthan. The seminar on "Love and Wisdom in Our Life" was held at Maniklal Varma Shramjeevi College, where scholars discussed various aspects of Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, and English languages.

Prof. Yogananad Shastri, highlighting the importance of language, stated that language is directly linked to human life and plays a crucial role in defining an individual's identity. He mentioned that during Emperor Ashoka’s time, speaking against religion was punishable by double penalties. He also shared a quote by British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham, stating that it would not be possible to read inscriptions without manuscripts. Prof. Shastri underscored the cultural similarities between Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India, stating that language is the factor that historically connects these nations. He also emphasized the need to adopt Sanskrit as the national language and praised its scientific structure.

**Love and Harmony in Contemporary Hindi Literature – Prof. Sarangdevot**

Presiding over the concluding session, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Colonel Shiv Singh Sarangdevot shared his thoughts on "Love and Harmony in Contemporary Hindi Literature." He mentioned that communalism is a significant challenge today and that languages have the ability to convey love and harmony. He also highlighted the special importance of consciousness in Indian culture, a concept many developed nations reject, and emphasized the global significance of Indian languages.

**Sessions on Different Languages**

Dr. Hemendra Chaudhary, the organizing committee chairman, informed that separate sessions were held focusing on Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, and English. Research papers were presented, and detailed discussions took place on various topics. A summary of all the language seminars was presented at the concluding ceremony. The symposium provided a deep reflection on the relevance of Indian languages and the need for their preservation.

Before the closing ceremony, the event began with the worship of Goddess Saraswati, in the presence of chief speaker Prof. Yogananad Shastri (former Speaker of Delhi Assembly), Dr. Narendra Kumar from Delhi, Prof. Srinivasan Iyer, Dean Prof. Malay Paneri, Program Coordinator Dr. Hemendra Chaudhary, and others.

The program was conducted by Dr. Hemendra Chaudhary.

**Musical Evening "Rashke-Tarannum" – A Soulful Performance by Radhika Chopra**

As part of the seminar, a musical evening "Rashke-Tarannum" was held on Thursday evening, where singer Radhika Chopra mesmerized the audience with her melodious voice. She brought famous ghazals such as "Deewana Banana Hai To Deewana Bana De," "Hai Koi Umeed Bar Nahin Aati," and "Raaz-e-Ulfat Chhupa Ke Dekh Liya" to life with her heartfelt performance. Her singing showcased depth, delicacy, and an incredible blend of classical music, making the evening unforgettable. When she sang "Sarbat Wo Ek Nazar Mein Mujhe Pehchaan Gaya," the audience was deeply moved. This musical evening immersed ghazal lovers in the enchanting world of poetry and music, leaving an indelible mark on their hearts.