Don’t include my struggle in textbooks, focus on historical stalwarts: Modi

Mumbai: India’s newly elected Prime Minister on Friday urged schools in India not to include chapters on his life and struggle in textbooks, saying that it was important for students to study other historical figures.

The Gujarat education department has decided to include a chapter on Modi's lifein the Social Science textbooks of its primary section (Classes 5-7), from the academic session starting from 2015.

Lessons on his life may be added to the school curriculum in Madhya Pradesh as the BJP government in the state is considering such a proposal to “inspire” students.

If implemented, the lessons will be taught from Standard 3 to Standard 6. During the 2014 Lok Sabha campaign, several comics on his life were released in the country.

Using twitter to express his concern for education, Modi said that the life story of living individuals should not be included as a part of the school curriculum.

“India has a rich history of several stalwarts who made India what it is today. Young minds should read about these greats and emulate them.”

Meanwhile, the new BJP government has taken initial steps towards introducing the Hindu perspective in the education system. It is learnt that human resources development minister Smriti Irani has asked HRD officials to develop educational material that encapsulates the contribution of ancient Indians in different fields like science, mathematics, social sciences, philosophy, grammar and language.

It is learnt that once evolved, this material could be introduced as chapters in the school curriculum. The ministry is planning to set up a committee to study the ancient Hindu texts, Vedas, Upanishads and other epics to select relevant material for teaching.

To deflect criticism, the Modi government is likely to hold wide consultations with academics and others before going ahead with the move.

Union HRD minister Smriti Irani brought this up during detailed interactions with senior bureaucrats in the past two days. She also articulated her desire to preserve the ancient culture and heritage of the country, sources said.

This is being viewed as an attempt by the government to push through the RSS’ educational revamp agenda.  The RSS has been critical of the Congress governments for ignoring the contribution of Hindu culture and religion to nation-building. The rightist organisations have labelled current textbooks as Left-leaning.