Raghunatha Sharma, a 92-year-old Sanskrit scholar in Chennai honoured
Posted on: 12/Jun/2019 1:00:46 PM
Ranganatha Sharma, a resident of IOB Colony in Selaiyur, Chennai, is one of the senior-most Sanskrit scholars in India, who is well-versed in Sahitya, Vedanta, Vyakarana and Vedic studies. He is 92-years’ old.
He has been honoured by the Sanskrit Academy, Madras, on the occasion of its Navati Samvatsara Mahotsava (90th anniversary celebration) with the tile of ‘Acharya Ratnam’, for his services!
With all humility, Mr Raghunatha Sharma observed: “Of all the awards I have received, I am most proud of this one because I have received it at 92 years of age!”
The nonagenarian, an author of several books, shared: ‘I grew up in a village where there were hardly any opportunities. Since the place had no higher secondary school, I moved to Palakkad with my parents. I liked Sanskrit and was interested in becoming a teacher so I did my B.Ed course. I took tuitions for two years after which I started working in a Tamilnadu government college. Later, I worked for Coimbatore government college for 12 years as an assistant professor.’
The veteran has been teaching the language through the Surabharati Samithi established by him.
Commenting on the significance of Sanskrit in the current day and age, Ranganatha Sharma said, “Sanskrit teaches humanity and equality. So, it is necessary to learn it even today.”
