Remembering Dr. Ved Kumari Ghai

 

Dr. Ved Kumari Gai was a scholar, professor, intellectual, social activist and was held in high esteem in Jammu. She was a reputed Sanskrit professor and great scholar. She was also well versed in Hindi as well as Dogri languages. Ved Kumari Gai was a literary figure of Jammu and Kashmir & his contribution to Sanskrit language, literature and society was well recognised. Ghai was born on 16th December 1931, in Partap Garh Mohallah, Jammu. She completed her school education in Jammu and passed Masters degree in Sanskrit from Punjab university in 1953 and MA in Ancient History and Culture in 1958 & then PhD in Sanskrit from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1960. 

Dr. Ved Kumari Gai was an acclaimed professor and scholar of Sanskrit and she had the distinction of having been the privilege of presiding the literary, social and religious functions. She was involved in literary and social services throughout his life. Basically she was appointed as a professor of Sanskrit at Government women’s college Parade, Jammu. Gai also held the distinguished position of HOD of the Department of Sanskrit of Jammu university until her retirement on 31 December 1991. She taught Panini Sanskrit Grammer with ease to post graduate students at the Institute of Indian Studies, Copenhagen university Denmark in 1966-1967 and 1978-1980. Ghai was associate with social work and served as a member of the Amarnath Shrine Board. Dr. Ghai married to Dr. Ram Pratap, who was also a Sanskrit scholar. Ghai passed away on 30 May 2023 at the advanced age of 91 years. Her death was widely mourned in the literary and educational circles. In fact by his death Jammu and Kashmir has lost a scholar, professor, intellectual, social worker and last but not least a great human being. 

She was a scholar extra ordinate and social worker. She got various awards, medals and certificates during her life for her contribution to Sanskrit literature and society. Ghai was conferred Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India in 2014. She also had a certificate of Honour by the President of India for her scholarship in Sanskrit. Ghai also got a Gold Medal in 1995 which was given by Jammu and Kashmir government for social work. Presidents Award for Sanskrit was given to her in 1979 and Dogra Rattan Award was given to her in 2005. Ghai was a prolific scholar and author of several books on Sanskrit literature. She was also a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award. Her notable works are - The Sanskrit Language in 1991, A history of Sanskrit Literature in 1996, The Ramayana in 2000, The Mahabharata in 2003, The Bhagavad Gita in 2005 besides many other books. Ghai’s work has been praised by scholars around the world. She was pioneer in the field of Sanskrit studies and her work has helped to make Sanskrit literature more accessible to wider audience. Ghai was a true scholar and her work will be remembered for generations to come.

Dr. Ghai was well versed in Hindu scriptures and had great knowledge of Sanatan Dharma and she freely and eloquently spoke about the Hindu religion and Hindu religious books and she had written several religious books and also translate few books of Hindu religion. Ghai was respected and revered for her deep knowledge of Sanatan Scriptures and had mastery over Bhagavad Gita and always referred to Hindu scriptures and she found solace in Bhagavad Gita and it was on her lips as she remembered all its 18 chapters. She was a religious lady and had great regard for Sanatan Dharma. She was the darling of Sanskrit lovers and was held in high esteem by the students and scholar alike. 

Dr Ghai watered Sanskrit language and literature during her life through her sweat and blood. She had mastery over Sanskrit, Hindi and even Dogri language and she was proud of her Dogri origin. Throughout her life she contributed greatly to Sanskrit language and literature and taught this language to students with ease. In her passing away J&K had lost a prolific scholar, social worker, an academician and above all a great human being. Her death has created a big void in Sanskrit learning and language which is hard to fill. She was the role model of many students and scholars of Sanskrit language.