Shree Somnath Sanskrit University eyes 339 GPYV temples across the state as placement possibilities.
Around 500 students pursuing temple management studies at the Shree Somnath Sanskrit University (SSSU) have passed the one-year diploma course this year. Now, the university is eyeing the temples managed by the Gujarat Pavitra Yatradham Vikas Board (GPYVB) across the state to find placements for these management students.
The one-year diploma course in temple management was started by SSSU last year wherein around 500 students cleared the first batch and are waiting for placement offers.
According to the varsity, there are 339 temples across the state managed by the GPYVB. According to sources, if the board gives the permission, hundreds of students can be employed in these temples, but no initiative has been taken yet.
“Some officials from the varsity had sought basic information about the temples managed by us. But, they only wanted to know about the possibility of employment,” said a board official who requested anonymity.
The vice-chancellor of SSSU Pankaj Jani also did not deny the fact; however, he said the move is towards the betterment of students and therefore he is paying “personal attention to try and get this work done”.
“Traditionally temples in our country have always been centres of activities. Now, with the changing time we feel there is a need for properly trained manpower to handle the management of these holy places more effectively and efficiently. This was the actual purpose behind initiating the temple management course,” Jani said.
Interestingly, significant numbers of girls have also enrolled for the course. By and large around 10 per cent to 15 per cent students are girls. At Keka Shashtri College, last year, around 60 students completed the course, out of whom, 14 were girls. When asked about the opportunities for girl students at managing temples Mahesh Patel, programme coordinator at Keka Shashtri College, said that girls will definitely get equal opportunity in this field according to their caliber and skills.
“This course is necessary to make our temples better managed. It’s not limited to getting jobs in the temples but the trained manpower can avoid tragedies like stampedes which have become rampant at temples across the country,” said Madhvi Upadhyay one of the students who enrolled in Keka Shashtri College this year.
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