New Delhi, Oct 1 (IANS): Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday highlighted the need for reorientation in Sanskrit research, and urged scholars to take the lead in popularising and improving the standard of Sanskrit education.

Speaking at the fifth convocation ceremony of the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, a deemed-to-be university, the minister said literature of the sacred language is a great repository of knowledge and its development would have a positive influence on the development of the nation.

Ms Irani said there was, therefore, a great need for reorientation in Sanskrit research, keeping in mind the present needs of the country, emerging trends in science and technology and global developments.

"All Sanskrit scholars must come together and think about these tasks to popularise and improve the standard of Sanskrit education," said the minister, who is also the chancellor of the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan.

Ms Irani said all the Sanskrit scholars would have to take the lead in identifying and publishing many unpublished manuscripts and works.

"Contemporary works have to be translated into Sanskrit, the valuable scientific and mathematical knowledge present in Sanskrit will have to be brought out and published," she said.

Ms Irani said there must be an increased use of technology in the teaching of Sanskrit.