Madhya Pradesh plans to introduce Narendra Modi chapter in school syllabus

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh is considering teaching the biography of PM-designate Narendra Modi in schools. State minister for school education said on Sunday the government is "considering teaching chapters on life of Narendra Modi from Classes III to VI".

This follows Rajasthan's declaration to do the same earlier this month.

Speaking to reporters, minister for school education Paras Jain said, "We have been traditionally teaching schoolchildren on lives of great kings and freedom fighters. But we are now considering introducing lessons on Narendra Modi so that children can be inspired by a living icon.

"No one can deny that Modi's life is inspirational. It can set an example before our students to see and know a man who was born in a humble family but rose to become Prime Minister."

Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's approval is still pending but Jain said, "Young minds believe it's possible to reach the top in one's own right and to give them strength to build life and success on their own. Government approval on notification would be no problem."

Having lost 27 of 29 seats to BJP in Madhya Pradesh, the Congress said the ruling party was breaking tradition and all political code of conduct after its victory in Lok Sabha polls.

Speaking to TOI, Congress' leader of Opposition in the state assembly Satyadev Katare said, "It is not part of our tradition and culture to have a living person in history books. Lessons on Mahatma Gandhi, Vinobha Bhave, Jay Prakash Narayan and Mother Teresa were made part of school education after their death.

And it's strange how BJP states can consider Modi as part of school education and not Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and Deendayal Upadhyay. Were they lesser than Modi? Sudden sycophancy seems to have gripped the party in its election victory arrogance."

In August last year, the government was in the midst of a controversy after the school education department issued notification to teach lessons on Bhagwat Gita in schools including madrasas. Under pressure from the Muslim community the decision had to be withdrawn. But Jain denied there would be any controversy with lessons on Modi in the school syllabus.