On April 15, 2025, the Uttarakhand cabinet approved the Adarsh Sanskrit Village Programme, aiming to promote Sanskrit as a living language across the state. Under this initiative, one village from each of Uttarakhand’s 13 districts will be selected to become a "model Sanskrit village," where residents are encouraged to use Sanskrit in daily life.
Key Highlights:
- The programme seeks to revitalize Sanskrit, the state's second official language since 2010, by integrating it into everyday communication within selected villages.
- Dimmer village in Chamoli district, known for its historical association with Sanskrit learning, has been designated as a model Sanskrit village. The village houses a Sanskrit college established in 1918 and is home to the Dimri Brahmins, traditional priests at Badrinath Dham.
- Trained instructors will be deployed to these villages to teach Sanskrit, encouraging its use in daily conversations, festivals, and community events. Signage and official communications within the villages will also be in Sanskrit to foster immersion.
- The programme also emphasizes traditional values by discouraging the consumption of alcohol and non-vegetarian food in these villages, aligning with the cultural ethos associated with Sanskrit traditions.
This initiative reflects Uttarakhand's commitment to preserving its rich linguistic heritage and promoting Sanskrit as a vibrant, spoken language within communities.