PHNOM PENH: As part of ongoing Iconic Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav week celebrations, the Embassy of India, Phnom Penh, in collaboration with the Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), organized “Sanskrit Day 2022” on August 09, 2022, in the University.
To mark the celebrations, the Embassy signed a contract with Dr. HENG Sophady, Rector of RUFA, and Dr. Chhom Kunthea, renowned Sanskrit scholar, to publish the book “Sanskrit Loanwords in Khmer Language” in the presence of H.E. Dr. Devyani Khobragade, Ambassador of India.
The program commenced with Dr. HENG Sophady, RUFA, welcoming Hon’ble Ambassador in University. Appreciating the extended partnership with the Embassy for the benefit of Cambodian students, Dr. HENG hoped for enhanced cooperation in other fields, such as classes on Indian classical dance and yoga as the Embassy conducted in the past. Ambassador, on her part, assured of resumption of the same shortly.
Speaking on occasion, the Hon’ble Ambassador highlighted the richness of the oldest Sanskrit language, termed “God’s language” and “mother of all languages,” that originated in India around 3500 years ago. Defining the Sanskrit derived from the conjoining of the prefix “Sam,” meaning “Samyak,” which indicates “entirely,” and “krit” indicates “done,” Ambassador underlined the need for protection and propagation of the most scientific language in the world for the benefit of the next generation and celebration of Sanskrit Day every year to be aimed to spread awareness in this direction.
Noting the adoption of a significant number of Sanskrit words in the Khmer language in day-to-day life, Ambassador expressed pleasure over ongoing Sanskrit language classes being conducted as part of the academic curriculum in RUFA and assured all cooperation to strengthen Embassy’s partnership with the University further.
Addressing the Sanskrit students present during the celebrations, Ambassador encouraged them to enhance their language skills further and avail various scholarship projects sponsored by the Government of India for Cambodian students under ITEC programmes for higher studies in India.
This followed the chanting of Sanskrit verses by students of the Archaeology Faculty of RUFA and the presentation of “A Glimpse on Sanskrit Literary Inscriptions of Ancient Cambodia by Mr. Pi Khatana and ‘100 years of Sanskrit Learning in Cambodia” by Dr. CHHOM Kunthea.
The events are being undertaken as part of Iconic Week celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) of the Embassy of India in Cambodia from 08-16 August 2022, leading to the culmination of the 76th Independence day of India. The AKAM is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements.
Photo by: India in Cambodia (Embassy of India, Phnom Penh)
