NCERT textbooks to have Bharat instead of India? Panel recommends

A proposal by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) panel to have the next set of books printed as 'Bharat' instead of India, has been accepted unanimously by its members. It is one of the 25 panels that works on changing or modifying the content of NCERT books.

However, the proposal has only been accepted by a smaller committee and is yet to get a final nod. The proposal has now been sent to NCERT in Delhi for further review.

According to IC Issac, the panel's chairman, the proposal was put forth some months ago and has now been accepted.

The NCERT panel's recommendation came against the backdrop of a debate on whether the country will be renamed 'Bharat'. This was triggered earlier this year after the Centre sent G20 dinner invites hosted by President Droupadi Murmu in the name of "President of Bharat", instead of "President of India", triggering a political row.

Article 1(1) of the Constitution defines the name of our country as "India, that is Bharat shall be a Union of States".

In September, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Bharat' nameplate was displayed on the table while he was addressing the G20 Leaders Summit at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi's Pragati Maidan.

Videos and photos widely shared on social media showed a placard displaying 'Bharat' as PM Modi delivered his inaugural address at the summit.

Meanwhile, the NCERT committee has also recommended highlighting "Hindu victories" in the textbooks. It has also recommended introducing ‘classical history’ instead of ‘ancient history’ in the textbooks.

Issac said history will no longer be divided into ancient, medieval and modern as it was done by the British, which showed India in darkness, unaware of scientific progress and knowledge.

The committee has also recommended the introduction of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into the curriculum of all subjects.