Noted Sanskrit Scholar Ved Kumari Ghai Passes Away

Shubham Mittal

2 years ago

Ved Kumari Ghai

Ved Kumari Ghai, an eminent Sanskrit scholar hailing from Jammu City, Jammu and Kashmir, has left a remarkable legacy in the field of Sanskrit studies. Serving as the head of the Sanskrit department at Jammu University, she made significant contributions to the academic community.

Sadly, Ved Kumari Ghai passed away on 30th May 2023 at the age of 91, leaving behind a rich body of work. She was known for her extensive scholarship and had authored numerous books on Sanskrit literature, further enriching the understanding and appreciation of this ancient language. Her contributions will continue to inspire and influence future generations of Sanskrit enthusiasts.

About Ved Kumari Ghai

Ved Kumari Ghai was born on 16 December 1931 in Jammu City.
She completed her graduation from Government College for Women, Parade, Jammu in 1952.
She then went on to do her M.A. in Sanskrit from the same college in 1954.
She also did her Ph.D. in Sanskrit from the University of Delhi in 1963.

Professional Career

Ved Kumari Ghai started her career as a professor of Sanskrit at the Government College for Women, Parade, Jammu.
She was the head of the post-graduate-level Sanskrit Department, at Jammu University until her retirement on 31 December 1991.
She taught Panini’s Sanskrit grammar and literature at the Institute of Indian Studies, Copenhagen University, Denmark in 1966–1967 and 1978–1980.
She was also a scholar in the Dogri language and also knew Hindi.
She was also involved in social work.
She was a member of the Amarnath shrine board.
Ghai was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, in 2014 for her contributions to Sanskrit scholarship.

Ghai was a prolific writer and had authored several books on Sanskrit grammar, literature, and philosophy. She was also a regular contributor to various journals and magazines. Her works have been translated into several languages, including English, French, German, and Russian.

Ghai was a pioneer in the field of Sanskrit studies and her contributions have had a lasting impact on the field. She was a role model for many young scholars and her work has inspired many to pursue a career in Sanskrit studies. She will be remembered as one of the most important Sanskrit scholars of her time.

Here are some of her notable works

A Critical Study of Panini’s Ashtadhyayi (1963)
A History of Sanskrit Literature (1972)
The Philosophy of the Upanishads (1980)
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (1985)
The Bhagavad Gita (1990)

Ved Kumari Ghai’s work has been praised by scholars all over the world. She was a true scholar and her work will continue to inspire generations of scholars to come.

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Author

Shubham Mittal

Shubham Mittal is a renowned current affairs writer and expert in government exam preparation, inspiring readers with insightful articles and guiding aspirants with his expertise.

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