The CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) school curriculum has been changed to add information on Philosophy, Yoga and Ayurveda in NCERT (National Council of Educational Research and Training) books.
The move comes after HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar had said last year that NCERT will work on giving students a better understanding of Bharat and its “glorious past”. The maximum additions have been made in Science textbooks, an Indian Express report said.
The textbooks of Class six to 10 include information about Upanishads and smritis and scientific achievements of ancient India in areas such as astronomy and metallurgy.
Comparing the old and new versions of 25 textbooks the IE report found the following:
1. Not only history textbooks have been changed. Changes have been made in Science and Geography textbooks too where ancient India’s different aspects and glory are celebrated.
2. Chapter 7 of Class 6 History textbook (‘Our Pasts – I’) has information on six schools of Indian philosophy: Vaishesika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva Mimansa and Vedanta or Uttara Mimansa. These are believed to have been founded by sages Konada, Gotama, Kapila, Patanjali, Jaimini and Vyasa.
3. A new paragraph in Chapter 12 of the same book has more information on Ayurveda. It reads as: “Ayurveda is a well known system of health Science that was developed in ancient India. The two famous practitioners of Ayurveda in ancient India were Charaka (1st-2nd centuries C.E.) and Sushruta (c. 4th century C.E.). Charak Samhita, written by Charak is a remarkable book on medicine. In his treatise, Sushruta Samhita, Sushruta speaks about elaborate surgical procedures.”
4. Works of astronomer Aryabhatta has been part of the Geography curriculum before. But, the new edition includes information on him in chapters 1 and 3. Chapter 17 of the class X Science book, too, has additional text on Aryabhatta including his work on the Earth’s diameter, solar and lunar eclipses.
5. Chapter 8 of class six Science textbook says yoga is “an invaluable gift of the ancient Indian tradition” and says it helps in relieving joint pain and a healthy heart.
6. Chapter 17 of the class 8 Science textbook says the practice of astronomy is mentioned in ancient books like Rig Veda. “In ancient India, our ancestors performed methodical observations of the sky. Their knowledge of astronomy was highly advanced for their time. Passage of the Sun, stars, moon and planets in the sky helped them to devise calendars and almanacs,” a paragraph states.
7. In chapter 17 of the class eight Science textbook, there is new information on what ancient Indian mythology says about the constellation Ursa Major, also known as Saptarshi. “According to ancient mythology the seven sages who form the Saptarshi, preserve the eternal knowledge of Vedas and explain it to people in every new age,” it states.
8. Chapter 16 of the class 10 Science textbook features two hymns from Atharva Veda. This was to demonstrate how sustainable living has always been an integral part of India’s tradition and culture.
9. In the same chapter a paragraph reads: “During the Vedic period, both productive, as well as the protective aspect of forest vegetation, were emphasised. This was the time when the concept of cultural landscape such as sacred forests and groves, sacred corridors and a variety of ethno-forestry practices were evolved that continued to the post-Vedic period, besides a wide range of ethno-forestry practices were infused with the traditions, customs and rituals and followed as a means for protection of nature and natural resource.”
10. These changes and additions were made as per the public feedback received by the Council, said a senior NCERT official, who did not wish to be identified.
11. NCERT has made other changes which include, correction and data update, in its 182 textbooks. The most corrections have been made to Science books (573), followed by Social Science (316) and Sanskrit textbooks (163).
12. After the National Curriculum Framework was drafted in 2005 this is the first comprehensive review. A curriculum revision is also overdue. But take place only after the Union government unveils the New Education Policy.