U.P. university’s courses on ‘Karmkand’, ‘Jyotirvigyan’ a hit

A 39-yr-old from Kanpur, enrolled in a Diploma in Karmkand course at CSJM University. The courses are part of the NEP 2020, which promotes ‘ancient & eternal Indian knowledge’ & are run by the Deen Dayal Shodh Kendra.

The interplay of Hindu rituals and spirituality always piqued the interest of 39-year-old Punit Tiwari, who runs a CCTV outsourcing business in Kanpur. So, when he found out that a university in his city – Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj (CSJM) University – had started a course on ‘Karmkand’ (a study of Hindu rituals believed to help a person fulfil their wishes), he wasted no time in enrolling for it.

“Our class is full of people who are excited to study the subject which we have spent a lot of time discussing at home and outside,” Mr. Tiwari said.

He is among the 29 students admitted to the newly introduced Diploma in Karmkand course at CSJM University, one of Uttar Pradesh’s biggest universities. The university launched the course, along with a certificate course in Karmkand and M.A. in ‘Jyotirvigyan’ (‘Astroscience’), this academic session.

The three courses were initially planned for batches of 20 students each. However, seats were increased after the courses became popular. The M.A. in Jyotirvigyan course now has 31 students.

“We were forced to increase seats mid-session. Now the administration is deliberating on further increasing the seats for the upcoming session,” said Vishal Sharma, the media in-charge and a faculty member at CSJM University.

Talking about the caste make-up of the class, Mr. Tiwari said there is a misconception that most people studying the course were young, upper caste Brahmins.

“I had a similar misconception, but, believe me, more than half the candidates belong to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and at least 10 people are over 60-year-old retired government employees,” he said. “Most of the candidates are pursuing the course out of interest in Hinduism, not for job opportunities.”