Muslim girl tops Sanskrit PG exam- Times of India0 6th October 2006

[Guest guest]

Muslim girl tops Sanskrit PG exam

P K SURENDRAN

[ 6 Oct, 2006 0123hrs IST - TIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

 

===========================================================

NAVAIKULAM: At a time when inspiring lyrics like Vande Mataram are branded

communal, a Muslim girl who opted for Sanskrit has topped the Kerala

University MA (Sanskrit) exam in 2006.

 

Shajeena S notched up 79% and is the first Muslim topper in the university's

history.

 

The 24-year-old is the second of three daughters of Shahul Hamid, a poor

labourer from Navaikulam. She took up Sanskrit three years ago.

 

"She is a very bright and sincere student," says Shajeena's teacher R

Nirmala. Did Shajeena confront any resistance from community leaders or from

her parents?

 

"Not really," she says, adding, "my parents agreed when I told them I want

to learn Sanskrit. When I topped the university exam, my ustad in the

community asked for sweets."

 

Though some people ask her why she didn't take up Arabic for higher studies,

she tells them that Sanskrit is the most apt language for Indians since most

Indian languages are offshoots of Sanskrit.

 

"Besides, it also offers better job opportunities," she says. Shajeena

recites Sanskrit slokas at home. "Nobody at home understands them though,"

she smiles.

 

"But they say it sounds melodious when intoned in a low pitch. The Sanskrit

language is poetic. There is rhythm in every syllable."

 

She dreams of launching a Sanskrit publication, which can help Sanskrit

lovers in India give vent to their creativity. She swears that she will

teach her children this rich language.

 

"It's a shame this beautiful language is reduced to a Cinderella in her own

land," she says.