Pune, 26th June 2023: Students pursuing Sanskrit had a remarkable opportunity to participate in an internship program organized by the Department of Sanskrit and Lexicography at Deccan College (Deemed University). This unique initiative aimed to provide practical training in the field of lexicography and the practical application of Sanskrit learning. The internship program, a first-of-its-kind endeavor, allowed Sanskrit students to gain valuable hands-on experience.
The Department of Sanskrit and Lexicography at Deccan College is currently working on a comprehensive project titled ‘An Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Sanskrit on Historical Principles’ (EDS). Once completed, this dictionary will be the largest of its kind, given the vast amount of data available in the Sanskrit language. As of now, the project has successfully published 35 volumes, comprising over 6,000 pages. The initiative receives financial support from the Government of Maharashtra and the Ministry of Education, Government of India, through the Central Sanskrit University in New Delhi.
The internship program took place from 1st June to 21st June 2023, spanning a duration of 21 days. It was open to third-year B.A. and M.A. students of Sanskrit from various institutes in Pune, as well as from cities like Kolhapur, Thane, Solapur, Nashik, New Delhi, Tirupati, and Bangalore. Although over 50 applications were received, only 25 students were selected due to limited availability. The internship sessions were held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and carried two credits.
Throughout the internship program, students had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the principles and processes involved in the creation of the ‘An Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Sanskrit on Historical Principles’ (EDS). They actively participated in various primary tasks, including preparing reference slips for entry words, assigning grammatical status, determining meanings, providing citations with commentaries and translations, incorporating book name abbreviations and precise references, and cross-checking entries against various dictionaries. The final task involved preparing an article or copy of the entry and reviewing its proof.
The internship proved immensely beneficial for the students, enabling them not only to gain insights into the crucial aspects of dictionary-making but also to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Sanskrit language. All participants displayed efficiency and successfully completed their assigned tasks. At the conclusion of the program on 22nd June, the students’ achievements were evaluated through a questionnaire, and certificates were presented to acknowledge their successful completion of the internship.
The proposal for the internship program was initiated by Prof. Prasad Jodhi, the Head of the Department of Sanskrit and Lexicography and the General Editor of the EDS project. Prof. Pramod Pandey, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, supported the idea. Dr. Kirti Kulkarni coordinated the internship under the guidance of Prof. Prasad Joshi, while Dr. Bhav Sharma, the Secretary of the Sanskrit Dictionary Project, assisted in the necessary arrangements. The entire staff of the Department played a significant role in ensuring the program’s success.
It is worth mentioning that the Department of Sanskrit and Lexicography also offers a post-graduate program in Sanskrit Lexicography, as well as M.A. and Ph.D. programs in Sanskrit and Lexicography. Additionally, they provide a short certificate program for Sanskrit language learning, further highlighting their commitment to promoting the study and application of Sanskrit in various fields.
