Cambridge to reduce study of Hindi, Sanskrit

London, Feb 20 (UNI) The prestigious Cambridge University has decided to cut down study of Hindi, Sanskrit and Portugese as there is ''little demand'' for these languages at the undergraduate level.

The Faculty of Oriental Studies has already stopped offering Hindi and Sanskrit as a full BA honours degree. Academics were told last year to admit no more undergraduates for South Asian studies before the department was ''reorganised''.

The move evoked sharp reactions from the Indian and Portugese communities alike. The Portuguese embassy reacted aggressively. The Indian community here, too, expect the Indian Government to take similar measures with regard to English.

Enraged over the decision, Dr John Smith, one of the Sanskrit faculties, has announced voluntary retirement saying he ''no longer wishes to be associated with Cambridge''.

He described the move as one ''of very dubious legality.'' Dr Smith had also talked to the Indian High Commissioner over the issue.

In a response to a High Commission query, the University explained that the world-fame institution has not ''closed the door'' on teaching Sanskrit and Hindi.

Sanskrit will continue to be taught to undergraduates reading Theology and to postgraduates studying Sanskrit as one of the great classical languages of the world. Hindi will continue to be offered not only to postgraduates taking cultural South Asian studies, but also to undergraduates and postgraduates who wish to use Hindi in pursuing research across the Social Sciences, Science and Technology, the University explained.

The General Board of the University of Cambridge has endorsed a proposal to discontinue offering Sanskrit and Hindi to undergraduates within the Oriental Studies Tripos only, largely because ''there is very little demand'', it clarified.

Even the trade circles were wary of the decision in the wake of growing bilateral trade between Britain and India.

Kate Pretty, a Pro Vice-Chancellor, however, said no final decision had been made on Portuguese, Hindi or Sanskrit, and that other languages were not at risk.

UNI