NEW DELHI: With Central Sanskrit University launching a BTech course in AI and Data Science to focus on Indian traditional knowledge and Nalanda University turning ‘Shastrarth’ (scholarly debates) into aconvocation practice, PM Modi Sunday used his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme to project India’s classical knowledge traditions as a living resource for the technology age and not a museum-piece inheritance. Nalanda University has revived the ancient Indian tradition of ‘Shastrarth’, which is not merely a medium for expressing one’s views but a disciplined process of dialogue, debate and deep contemplation, he said. The PM said the practice required participants to articulate their positions “backed by logic and facts” while also learning to listen to opposing views with patience. Nearly half of the participating students, he said, were from other countries. Calling it an effort to bridge “an ancient tradition with contemporary times”, Modi urged other universities to consider similar initiatives. In the same segment, Modi referred to Sanskrit University’s BTech programme. The AICTE-approved programme was launched for the 2026-27 academic session at the university’s Nashik campus with a focus on AI, data science, Sanskrit and Indian languages. “This marks a crucial step towards integrating modern technology with India’s traditional knowledge,” Modi said, adding that it would help develop new AI tools for Indian languages and speed up digitisation and preservation of ancient texts and manuscripts.
