Sanskrit Renaissance Has Begun in the US

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USA, August 11, 2015 (NewsGram): NewsGram spoke to Dr. Jyotsna Kalavar, who is a Professor in Human Development & Family Studies at Pennsylvania State University, USA and is an instructor at Samskrita Bharati, USA. An excerpt: “From what I have seen, most Hindu children in the United States, take immense pride in their heritage, go through some period of soul searching and questioning, and pursue their personal definition of what it means to be a Hindu. Some take up the study of Sanskrit, literature, art, Vedic chanting, Vedanta, dance, music, Yoga – whatever aspect of Hinduism that appeals to them. On the one hand, I have seen Hindu children in the United States being more Hindu than children in India. They have learned sections of the Vedas, speak Sanskrit fluently, and take great pride in their Hindu beliefs. Recently, I was at an event in Stroudsburg, PA where more than a dozen children had memorized the entire Bhagavad Gita, and were participating in a competition. I was simply bowled over by these children. As a liturgical language, Sanskrit will continue to play an important role among Hindus worldwide. As a transactional language, I am very optimistic that it will pick up steam both in India and outside. It seems like the Sanskrit renaissance has begun and is here to stay!”