MUMBAI: Doordarshan has started airing Sanskrit news bulletins from Thursday.

The five minute news capsule, started on World Sanskrit Day on 22 August, is being aired at 10 am daily. This brings the public broadcaster on par with its sibling All India Radio, which has been airing early morning Sanskrit news bulletins for the last 35 years. The weekly Sanskrit news magazine on DD, telecast every Sunday, is however, being withdrawn, according to media reports.

The idea is to revive the classic Indian language which is on the verge of being wiped out, according to official sources. Authorities estimate an approximate 15,000 persons in the country are currently conversant in Sanskrit and will be able to avail of the news bulletins. Prasar Bharati has the unenviable task of recruiting professional to read out the bulletins and may have to tap AIR newsreaders, as there is a lack of newscasters, proficient in Sanskrit.