PHNOM PENH: The Embassy of India in Phnom Penh, in collaboration with the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), organized a ‘Sanskrit Day 2022’ on Tuesday, 9 August, as part of the Embassy’s ongoing ‘Iconic Week’ celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav,’ commemorating 75 years of Indian independence. To mark the celebrations, the Embassy signed a contract with RUFA for the publication of a book titled ‘Sanskrit Loanwords in Khmer Language.’
According to the Indian Embassy's press release, the Embassy signed a contract with the Rector of RUFA, Dr. Heng Sophady, and renowned Sanskrit scholar, Dr. Chhom Kunthea, in the presence of the Ambassador of India, Dr. Devyani Khobragade, at the University.
Dr. Heng Sophady welcomed Ambassador Khobragade to RUFA and expressed his appreciation for the long partnership between the University and the Indian Embassy, which has benefited Cambodian students. Dr. Heng said that he hopes for enhanced cooperation in other fields such as in offering classes on Indian classical dance and yoga, as was conducted by the Embassy in the past. Ambassador Khobragade, on her part, assured that such classes would resume in the near future.
Speaking on the occasion, the Indian Ambassador highlighted the richness of the Sanskrit language, termed ‘Gods language’ and ‘mother of all languages,’ believed to have originated in India around 3500 years ago. The Embassy press release states that the name ‘Sanskrit’ derives from the conjoining of the prefix ‘Sam’ from ‘Samyak,’ meaning ‘wholly’ or ‘entirely,’ and ‘krit’ that indicates ‘done.’ The Ambassador underlined the need for the protection and propagation of Sanskrit for the benefit of the next generation, and called for a celebration of Sanskrit Day every year to spread awareness of the ancient language.
Noting the adoption of a significant number of Sanskrit words in the Khmer language in day to day life, the Ambassador expressed pleasure over the ongoing Sanskrit language classes being conducted as part of the academic curriculum in RUFA, and assured all cooperation to further strengthen the Embassy’s partnership with the University. Addressing the Sanskrit students present during the celebrations, the Ambassador encouraged them to further enhance their language skills and also spoke of various scholarship projects being sponsored by the Government of India for Cambodian students under ITEC programs for higher education students in India.
Following these remarks, students from the Archaeology Faculty of RUFA chanted Sanskrit verses, Mr. Pi Khatana gave a presentation on ‘A Glimpse on Sanskrit Literary Inscriptions of Ancient Cambodia' and Dr. Chhom Kunthea gave a presentation on ‘100 years of Sanskrit Learning in Cambodia.'
The celebration of ‘Sanskrit Day’ and the signing of a contract to publish a book on ‘Sanskrit Loanwords in Khmer Language’ are part of the Indian Embassy’s ‘Iconic Week’ celebrations running from 8-16 August, under the Indian government’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ initiative, commemorating 75 years of India’s independence and culminating on the 76th Independence Day of India this year.
