Telugu textbook changed a lot

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao figures prominently in the new Telugu textbooks written as part of the new curriculum for the state.

Class X’s Telugu (first language) textbook even has an editorial written praising Mr Rao and the policies of the new TRS government. However, interestingly, an essay about the first CM of the erstwhile Hyderabad State, written by former PM P.V. Narasimha Rao has been deleted from the Class X Telugu book. The essay has instead been added to Class IX Telugu textbook.

Mr Narasimha Rao was from Karimnagar. As against the earlier stand that only TS literature should feature in the textbooks, the preface says that literary works of poets and writers from other regions have also been added so that the students know about Telugu literature as a whole. Only one chapter, written by Srinath, has been retained in the new textbooks.

All other chapters have been written by authors from TS. The prologue of the Telugu textbook has done away with the AP official state song “Maa Telugu Talli” while retaining the national song, national anthem and the pledge. The title page has also surprisingly done away with the Sri Krishnadeva Raya saying “Desha Bhashalandu Telugu Lessa” replacing it with “Na Telangana Koti Ratnala Veena”.