Few takers for oriental studies in seat of religious learning

Varanasi, May 10 (UNI) Kashi (Now Varanasi) -- world famous as a seat of learning -- is of late reporting decline in number of takers for cultural and religious studies with the bulk of aspirants opting for professional courses, especially bio-technology.

Statistics pertaining to valid admission forms for academic session 2006-07 of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) have revealed many interesting facts.

There are no takers for Bachelor Degree Courses in Nepali and Kannada, besides Post Graduate (Acharya) courses in Vedic Studies and Jain and Buddhist philosophy.

Sources in the University controller of examinations office said no valid application form had been received for BA in Nepali and Kannada.

The situation is identical in case of PG courses in Sama Veda, Rig Veda, Krishna Yajur Veda, Dharmashastra Mimansa, Jain Darshan, Buddha Darshan, Purana History and Sankhya Yog.

Only a few valid application forms had been received for PG in Sahitya, Vyakaran, Shukla Yajurveda and Jyotish Mathematics.

Miniscule response has been reported in PG courses in Textile Designing, Arabic, Persian, Bengali, Marathi and Telugu.

Sources further said the declining response to admission in religious, cultural and Indian linguistic studies has been contrary to response in programmes for bio-informatics and bio-chemistry.

Similar response has been reported in PG courses in journalism, law, besides bachelor degree programmes in Mathamatics, Zoology and Commerce.

As many as 70 and 35 aspirants will vie for a seat each of PG programme in Bio-Chemistry and Bio-Informatics respectively with the latter being exclusively for female students.

A total of 30, 36 and 19 students will fight for a seat each of Bachelor Degree courses in Zoology, Mathematics and Commerce respectively.

Sources said 25 and 38 aspirants each will vie for a seat each of PG courses in Law and Journalism respectively.

The entrance tests for admission to all courses will commence from May 20.

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