Annual Report of Sri Sri Sitaramdas Omkarnath
Samskrita Siksha Samsad, 2010-11

        Since, the Vedic tradition is the ever lasting tradition of India even the torrent of time couldn’t erase it, so, the contemporary approach, provisions are inevitable; consequently the Samsad which was founded in 1986 and registered under West Bengal Societies Registration Act, is in action to sustain and boost the tradition up Sanskrit & Vedic learning from last 25 years.  It is recognized by the Government of West Bengal and the Government of India and is receiving grants from both the Governments. Stealthily it is progressing towards attaining the status of centre of excellence. With the view of achieve its aforesaid objectives, the Samsad undertook following activities during the tenure of ‘2010-2011’.

       The Samsad has become the premier institute in the Eastern Region of the country imparting instructions in Sanskrit and other oriental subjects in accordance with the syllabus prescribed by the Government of India. It is also concurrently running a very important traditional course leading to the titles of ‘Adya’, ‘Madhya’ and ‘Upadhi’, through Examinations conducted by the Vangiya Sanskrita Siksha Parishad, a wing set up by the Government of West Bengal to monitor Sanskrit learning in the State. Performance of its students in these examinations during the year was very satisfactory. Along with these courses students are also being taught in modern subjects and Computer Application. This will, no doubt, enlarge the scope of their employment. During the year in question, the Samsad had been maintaining 64 students in its six units.

       This year, Samsad organised an advance programme amidst students of the Samsad on April 30, 2010, with a special appearance of Professor Harekrishna Satapathy, Vice-Chancellor, Tirupati Rashtriya Sanskrit University, Tirupati, which created an enormous reaction amongst the students.

       As in previous years, this year also Samsad held its own Examination at Kolkata on December 12-15, 2010, in ‘Adya’, ‘Madhya’ and ‘Upadhi’ in accordance with the syllabus drawn by the topmost scholars in the country. The Examinations evoked keen interest and as many as 750 candidates from various districts appeared in the said examination. Annual Examination (1st year to 5th year) of Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthan was also organized at that time.

       This year, 14 students of the Samsad appeared in the final (6th year) Vedic examination held by Maharshi Sandipani Rashtriya Vedavidya Pratishthan at Mahamilan Math, Kolkata, on December 14-15, 2010. Moreover, it should be mentioned that, this year Samsad was the Centre of Final Examination of Veda in the entire North East India. 13 students have successfully qualified with the title of ‘Veda Vibhushana’.

The Samsad has a rich publication wing and nineteen books on Indology, Sanskrit and Bengali literature have already been published and few others are in the process.

The Samsad has published the following books till date:

1. Sreemad Bhagavatam with Bengali Translation and notes.
2. Sreemad Bhagavadgita with Bengali Translation by Ananta Kumar Dutta.
3. Sreemad Bhagavadgita (abridged edition).
4. Pravat Suryer Dese by Dr. Arati Mukherji.
5. Purano sei diner Katha by Dr. Arati Mukherji.
6. Vaisnav Sristi Samiksha by Professor Debranjan Mukherji.
7. Shakti Darshan O’ Shakta- kavi by Professor Debaranjan Mukherji.
8. The Art of Life: General Editor Professor Ramaranjan Mukherji.
9. Anthology of Sanskrit Poetics: General Editor Professor Ramaranjan Mukherji.
10. Glimpses of Indian Civilisation by Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay.
11. Some aspects of Ancient Indian Political, Legal and Social Thoughts by Dr. Ramnarayan Mukhopadhyay.
12. Songs That Bridge The Gulf by Prof. Tarapada Bhattacharya.
13. Meghadutam: edited by Mahadev Chandra Pal.
14. Meghadutam: edited by Dr. Arati Mukherji
15. Sistri O Sanchar: (Silver Jubilee Publication) edited by Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji
16. Kathopanishad: (Silver Jubilee Publication) edited by Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji
17. Smaraniya Baraniya Birbhum: (Silver Jubilee Publication) edited by Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji
18. Galpa Sankalan (Gopal Chakraborty) (Silver Jubilee Publication) edited by Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji
19. Vedic Heritage : (Silver Jubilee Publication) published by Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji
20. Nandan Tattva (A series of lectures delivered by Padmasree Professor Ramaranjan Mukherji at Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Gol Park, Kolkata) edited by Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji will be published soon.

Apart from these the Samsad used to publish a quarterly Wall Magazine i.e. ‘Sura Sristi’ regularly with compositions by the students. This year it carried a special degree as the edition, published on September 2, 2010, marked by Silver Jubilee.

Research Wing:

The Institute is extending facilities to Research Scholars to carry out Research on diverse problems of Indology under the guidance of experts in respective fields. The Samsad has already established itself as a premier institute in the country in the field of Research. As recommended by the State Government the following projects have earlier been allotted to it by the Government of India:

1. Compilation of Anthology
2. Art of Life
3. Compilation of a Dictionary of Sanskrit Poetics
4. Iswar Chandra, Bankim Chandra, Swami- Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo and Rabindranath Tagore in Sanskrit.
5. Translation of certain Sanskrit Texts into Bengali
6. Status of Tista-Brahmaputra Valley in Sanskrit Literature, with a special assistance from Smt. Mahasveta Devi(a National Professor) and Mr. Jyotiska Ranjan Sarkar (a Research Scholar).  
7. Translation of Kavyadarsha and Sahitya Darpan

The Samsad has already completed some of the above projects and is carrying on with the rest in a most satisfactory manner.

Seminars/Conventions:
            For dissemination and exchange of ideas the Samsad used to organize Seminars/Conventions every year with relevant topics and issues. During 2010-2011 the following Seminars/Conventions have been organized by the Samsad.

1. The Regional Vedic Sammelan, sponsored by Maharshi Sandipani Rastriya Vedavidya Pratisthan, Ujjain, held on December 17-19, 2010. This Convention has made an important impression upon the Vedic Studies in Bengal and the whole North East India. Vice-Chancellors of different Universities from different corners of India and distinguished scholars, Veda Murtis, Sanskrit lovers assembled in the convention.
2. ‘Sardhashatavarshe Rabindranath: Samsader Shraddhanjali’ – A special programme on the sesquicentennial (150) birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore held on February 25, 2011. There were an assemblage of Dr. Partha Sarathi Mukhopadhyay, Dr. Nirmalya Narayan Chakrabarti, Sri Subhadeep Mukhopadhyay as speakers and Dr. Ranjana Mukherji, former Professor, Department of Philosophy, Rabindra Bharati University was the Chief speaker on the topic – “Upanisad Bhavanay Rabindranath” (The concept of Upanishad as manifested by Rabindranath). Revered Brahmachari Mural Bhai, General Secretary cum trustee, Adyapeeth Ramakrishna Sangha, Dakshineswar was the special guest with the presence of other VIPs.  
3. “Sama Veda:  Bengal’s Pursuance” on March 25-26, 2011; a National Seminar to expand the horizon of ideas through perceptions of maestros and authoritative personalities on the topic.

Like previous years, this year also the Samsad held its Annual Convocation on December 19, 2010, to recognize successful candidates with ‘Upadhis’ in different branches of traditional Sanskrit. Professor Ashoke Nath Bose, former Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University, an eminent Scientist, conveyed the convocation address. Professor Bose candidly thanked the organisation and appealed for a common platform to combine the ancient and modern knowledge. Professor Gopal Mitra, the Vice-President had dispensed Medals, Certificates and Scholarships to the meritorious successful students of the Samsad. Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji, the Registrar had conducted the convocation ceremony.

Other activities:  

1. Cultural activities:
Keeping in the mind to promote Indian Culture, that is a fixed axis of the Samsad, it had already set up a cultural unit, which holds cultural programmes every year.

Samsad celebrated ‘Rabindra Jayanti’ on May 9th, 2010. On this occasion Sri Samir Kumar Ghosh, Ex-Chief Engineer & Officer- on- Special Duty of the Samsad, was the Chief-Guest. This function was presided over by Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji, Registrar of the Samsad. A cultural programme was also organized by the students.

This year the Samsad touched the milestone of Silver jubilee anniversary, the Foundation Day of the Samsad was duly observed on September 2, 2010 at Vaikunthadham, 107, Southern Avenue, Kolkata- 700 029. On this occasion there was a three fold division of the celebration. The programme started with a colourful rally from “Vaikunthadham”, 107, Southern Avenue, Kolkata up to Tollygunge - Karunamoyee, a wing of the Samsad, carrying about 550 students from various academic institutions, initiated by Revered Swami Sarvabhutanandaji Maharaj, Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata. There was a grand Prasad offering ceremony by the Samsad to the participants followed by an exhibition on Vedic tradition and Indian culture. The exhibition was inaugurated by Professor S. Sudarshana Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, Tirupati, Venkateswar Vedic University. The Foundation Day lecture was delivered by Dr. Subodh Chandra Chowdhury,

Teachers day was duly observed on September 5, 2010 by the students of the Samsad, where cultural and debating programmes were organised and this was presided over by Pandit Suryanarayan Sashtri an eminent Vedic Scholar. In this function Dr. Sashibhusan Mishra, Sri Samir Kumar Ghosh, and Dr. Suresh Kumar Banerji were assembled.

This year “Geeta Jayanti” was also celebrated by the Samsad on December 17, 2010, with enthusiasm. On this occasion rituals, Yajna were conducted by the students of the Samsad guided by Pandit Sadanandan. 
This year the students of the Samsad achieved success in the debate competition organized by Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Golpark, and Kolkata on December 16, 2010. In that competition, students of the Samsad stood third in position of merit. This inspired the students to do better in future.

The Samsad does not confine its activities to traditional subjects alone, but it tries to make its students conversant with some basics of science and new scientific developments through discourses on various scientific topics. During the year arrangements have been made for certain sports and games. The students are now regularly playing Football and Cricket in the afternoon in the adjoining field located in South Kolkata Lake area.

     (Suresh Kumar Banerji)
                                                                                                   Registrar