Lucknow: For the first time ever, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has started a text and audio service related to Hindu sacred texts on the official portal of the college.
The texts include Srimad Bhagwadgita, Ramcharitmanas, Brahma Sutra, Yoga Sutra, Shri Ram Mangal Dasji and the Narada Bhakti Sutra along with the Sanskrit renditions of the Sundarkand and Balakkand of the Valmiki Ramayan.
This charter was proposed by the human resource development ministry which funds the IITs which, however, are considered as the autonomous body.
T V Prabhakar, professor, Resource Centre for Indian language Technology Solutions, department of computer science and engineering, IIT Kanpur, said, “We have from time to time worked on this project with a team of scholars from within the IITs and outside to make available the sacred texts.”
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“This is the first of its kind in the world and in India and it must be respected,” said Both Prabhakar and IIT Kanpur director Mahendra Aggarwal have rejected controversies around this project.
The professor further said, “There will be criticism for the sake of it for every good thing. Secular credentials can’t be questioned on such a noble and pious initiative.”
The IIT intends to seek more funds from the Centre to include more sacred texts.