Narendra Modi's Independence Day move gets mixed vibes from schools

HYDERABAD: The Centre’s decision to introduce programmes to create a “festive and patriotic mood” among students for the 70th Independence Day celebrations has been met with mixed responses. The government has directed schools to conduct patriotic-theme debates, elocution and painting competitions between August 9 and August 20. Some school principals believe that politics should remain outside of the realm of school education. Principal P. Ushasri of Johnson Grammar School, Nacharam, said, “Patriotic fervour is inborn. Schools are only learning grounds for the cultivation of it. There should be no enforcement of patriotism. The competitions must be treated as opportunities for students to improve their skills.”

Some teachers felt that the Centre’s decision to turn August into a month of celebration to garner support for the ruling party’s vision of “New India” was uncalled for. Teacher Chava Ravi said, “Our students are taught about the freedom struggle in their curriculum. That is enough to inculcate a patriotic spirit. Schools should be free to conduct Independence Day celebrations in any way. This move by the Centre to try and inject fascist culture by highlighting the nationalistic spirit will create communal disturbances rather than harmony.”

The Centre has asked the schools to take photographs and record videos of their celebrations, upload them on social media  and send them to the Union ministry of human resource development to be shared on the government’s website. Ms G. Arundathi, principal of Sanghamitra School, said, “We will be sending videos and publicising them. The younger generation needs to know more about how we have attained freedom. The competitions advised by the Centre are a bit too much, but we can conduct them as per our preference on any day this month.”