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UGC plans courses for pundits

The University Grants Commission plans to introduce super-speciality degree courses in ancient ritual performances and Vedic astrology to ready the youth for careers as priests and ritual performers.

The UGC is financing these courses to create more jobs with an eye on the Non-Resident Indians market and protect the "cultural heritage" of the country, the Hindustan Times reported Tuesday.

According to UGC Chairman Dr Hari Gautam, "There are so many NRIs who crave for pundits to perform their rituals. As there are many ignorant persons masquerading as priests, a certified course would lend it credibility," he said.

The move that is aimed at resurrecting the Indian culture also has an eye on the precious foreign exchange likely to flow in.

Terming it as a "golden opportunity to export Indian culture abroad," Gautam said that there is much demand for them in India too.

Priests are needed for everything from naming ceremonies to marriage ceremonies, house-warming and funeral rites, he said.

Recognising that there are many quacks posing as astrologers too, he said, the UGC has projected Vedic astrology as a modern scientific subject. Astrology evoked widespread interest the world over but genuine Indian astrologers have not been able to share it with others, Gautam said.

Countering criticism that the UGC was only focussing on Hinduism, he said, "If we can export software technology abroad, then why not our ancient wisdom?" The UGC was also planning to take parallel action in case of other sects too, he said, adding that the UGC also proposed to introduce two-month courses in speaking Sanskrit.

UNI

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