NCERT does not differentiate between India and Bharat
It is too early to comment as the development of new syllabus and textbooks is in the process
New Delhi – NCERT does not differentiate between ‘India’ and ‘Bharat’, Union Minister for Education said in the Parliament. Union Minister of State for Education Annapoorna Devi said in the Rajya Sabha, “As we move away from the colonial mindset, we encourage the usage of words in Bharatiya Bhasha (Indian languages). It is noteworthy that NCERT Committee has recommended deletion of the word ‘India’ in October this year. NCERT states, “since the development of new syllabus and textbooks is in the process, it is too early to comment.”
Under the new Educational Policy, NCERT had formed a committee of 19 members. This committee had recommended that ‘Bharat’ word should replace the word ‘India’. Similarly, ancient history should be removed from the curriculum and classical history highlighting victories of Hindu Kings should be introduced.
President of this committee CI Issac had said, “The word ‘Bharat’ is mentioned in Vishnu Puran, which is 7,000 years old. The word ‘India’ became prevalent after the battle of Plassey in 1757. In this situation, our Nation deserves to be called ‘Bharat’. The British divided our history into 3 parts, Ancient, Medieval, and Modern. Ancient history is misleading. It says that the Nation was ignorant and had no idea about science. Children must be taught Classical History along with Medieval and Modern history.