Varanasi institute is teaching priests to be fluent in English

The Deen Dayal Upadhyay Kaushal Kendra (DDUKK), in Sampurnanand Sanskrit University (SSU), in Varanasi is preparing English-speaking priests by linking ‘jyotish’ (astrology) and ‘karmkand’ (religious rituals) with the skill development programme of the central government.

Kendra director Prof Sudhakar Mishra said, “Linking jyotish and karmkand with skill development is a boon for the students. The three-year B Voc programme makes them proficient in English and Sanskrit along with the knowledge of astrology and karmkand.”

Mishra said that there is a demand of English speaking priests across the globe. “At the kendra, we are shaping pundits who will have deep knowledge of karmkand and astrology and can speak English fluently. They have proficiency in Sanskrit too.”

He expressed the hope that English speaking priests, educated in Banaras, will be seen in every part of the world in the coming days.

He said the students at the kendra were happy to get knowledge of English while studying vedas, astrology and other topics of their curriculum.

The first batch of about 13 English-speaking pundits will be ready for their jobs next year, Mishra said.

Prof Shitala Prasad Upadhyay, who retired in June this year, played a crucial role in linking Sanskrit with two skill development programmes -- Bachelor in Vocational Education (B Voc) in jyotish and karmkand and vastu shashtra and interior designing started by University Grant commission -- at DDUKK.

Upadhyaya, the founder director of the kendra, said, “Students are taught Sanskrit, English, and basics of computer along with astrology and karmkand so that they can speak English, study vedic shlokas and have an idea about basics of computers which is required for success in each and every field at present.”

Proficiency in English will give them international exposure and get them employment as soon as they complete their course, he said adding that Sanskrit and basic computer studies were added to the curriculum of both B Voc courses after deliberation with varsity authorities and due permission of the vice chancellor.

B Voc degree programme is of six semesters and students have to write eight papers in each semester of both the programmes. English, Sanskrit and computer studies are common in both B Voc programmes.

Admission to the courses began in the year of 2016. This year too, all 50 seats in jyotish and karmkand courses are already full. Now, many students are showing interest in vaastu and interior designing as well.