Varanasi: Dedicated to Sanskrit education, Shastrarth Mahavidyalaya celebrated its 82nd foundation day on Tuesday with 10-over Sanskrit Batuk cricket match at Jaynarayan Inter College ground in Ramapura, which saw players in action, but attired in dhoti-kurta and ‘tilak-tripund’. In this annual event for the students of vedic knowledge, the entire commentary is in Sanskrit, a feature that is praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann ki Baat broadcast. The four teams included Shastrarth Mahavidyalaya, International Chandramauli Charitable Trust, Swami Vedanti Ved Vidyapeeth and Chidanand Sanskrit Vidyalaya Varanasi. The Sanskrit commentary was by grammar scholar Sheshnarayan Mishra and Vedic Acharya Vikas Dixit.
The match was inaugurated by President Award recipient former principal Ganesh Dutt Shastri. He said the objective was to highlight that Sanskrit students were not merely priests in the making for performing rituals, but can showcase their talent in sports too. District inspector of schools Bholendra Pratap Singh said such events developed children’s ability to progress with enthusiasm. Programme coordinator and college principal Pawan Kumar Shukla said the cricket tournament was organised among four teams. The winning team will be awarded at the ceremony to be held in the college on Jan 30. The match was umpired by former Ranji Trophy-level players Dheeraj Mishra and Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari. Ashok Pandey served as match referee. As the match commenced, the ground resonated with students’ victory chants, “Jayatu-Jayatu Bharatam, Jayatu-Jayatu Sanskritam.” Locals who came to watch the match were amazed to see such conduct and praised how it showcased culture.The first match was between International Chandramauli Charitable Trust and Swami Vedanti Ved Vidyapeeth, where Vedanti Ved Vidyapeeth won by eight wickets. The second match was between Shastrarth Mahavidyalaya and Chidanand Sanskrit Uchchatar Madhyamik Vidyalaya. Batting first, Shastrarth Mahavidyalaya scored 77 runs. In response, Chidanand Vidyalaya team scored 65 runs in eight overs and were eliminated from the competition.The final match was played between Shastrarth Mahavidyalaya and Swami Vedanti Ved Vidyapeeth. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Shastrarth Mahavidyalaya scored 61 runs in eight overs. In response, Swami Vedanti Ved Vidyapeeth scored 64 runs in fifth over, losing three wickets and won the match, while Shastrarth Mahavidyalaya team was runner-up.
