Include Ramayan and Mahabharat in history books : Recommends NCERT committee

(Credits: Organiser)

New Delhi – A committee of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has recommended that Ramayan and Mahabharat be included in the curriculum of school history to inculcate patriotism in students from the teenage years. Earlier, in the booklets published by the committee about the Chandrayaan mission, it was mentioned that ‘Aeroplanes were used in ancient India’. The same committee had earlier recommended replacing the name ‘India’ with ‘Bharat’ in the textbooks. It had also recommended that glories of Indian Hindu rulers be included in the syllabus from 3rd to 12th standard.

(Credits:CNN News -18)

Last year, the NCERT had appointed a 7-member committee to restructure the curriculum in line with the new educational policy. The committee has presented its recommendations on social sciences. It has recommended that the historical time periods be restructured.

Currently, history is divided into ‘Ancient’, ‘Medieval’ and ‘Modern history’

The committee recommends introduction of four time periods namely, ‘Traditional’, ‘Medieval’, ‘British era’ and ‘Modern India’. The inclusion of Ramayan and Mahabharat epics is recommended in the ‘Traditional’ period of history.

“The committee has insisted on teaching epics like Ramayan and Mahabharat in the social science syllabus to students. We think that students in their teenage years build their self-esteem, patriotism and pride for their nation. Every year thousands of students leave the country and seek citizenship in other countries because of the lack of patriotism among them. Therefore, it is important for them to understand their roots and develop love for their country and their culture. These epics are included in the syllabus of some educational boards. It is necessary to expand its scope to the national level”, expressed C.I. Isaac, Chairperson of the committee, while talking to various news agencies.

The recommendations made by this committee will be forwarded to the 19-member National Syllabus and Teaching-Learning Material Committee (NSTC). If NSTC approves these recommendations, they will be included in the textbooks accordingly. NSTC is responsible for creating textbooks and learning material.

The committee recommends writing the Preamble of the Constitution on classroom walls

The Constitution of India enshrines the values of democracy and sovereignty. Hence, it has also been recommended by the committee that the Preamble of the Constitution be written in the local language on the classroom walls.

Editorial Perspectives

• A commendable recommendation by the NCERT ! But the fact cannot be denied that it took several years for this and millions of Indian students remained deprived of this crucial education.
• The Union Government should try to approve this recommendation and revise the curriculum accordingly.