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1/n
Folks, carrying on from this tweet below, replugging thread on the need to tell the stories of our heroes to our kids as part of their school curriculum.
This is a thought that had been on my mind for a while now.
Jotted some random thoughts some years ago.
Here goes .. https://twitter.com/Cygnet_small/status/1191330832603959297
Folks, carrying on from this tweet below, replugging thread on the need to tell the stories of our heroes to our kids as part of their school curriculum.
This is a thought that had been on my mind for a while now.
Jotted some random thoughts some years ago.
Here goes .. https://twitter.com/Cygnet_small/status/1191330832603959297
2/n
Growing up, I remember three distinct stories as part of my Hindi curriculum.
The first one was sometime in the primary school - a fictionalized story of a village boy who is an excellent marksman, who joins the army and wreaks merry hell on the enemy during a war.
Growing up, I remember three distinct stories as part of my Hindi curriculum.
The first one was sometime in the primary school - a fictionalized story of a village boy who is an excellent marksman, who joins the army and wreaks merry hell on the enemy during a war.
3/n
A dialogue from that story, said in the aftermath of a major attack that they repelled, still remains with me. As they bragged about how many enemies they had killed, this guy remarks - Toh meri bandook kya golgappe barsa rahi thi?
Apparently, he had inflicted the maximum ..
A dialogue from that story, said in the aftermath of a major attack that they repelled, still remains with me. As they bragged about how many enemies they had killed, this guy remarks - Toh meri bandook kya golgappe barsa rahi thi?
Apparently, he had inflicted the maximum ..
4/n
.. damage on the enemy, and would soon become a war hero.
This story was part of my Hindi curriculum in probably Class III.
In Class IV came the story of Chandrashekhar Azad, again as part of the Hindi curriculum.
.. damage on the enemy, and would soon become a war hero.
This story was part of my Hindi curriculum in probably Class III.
In Class IV came the story of Chandrashekhar Azad, again as part of the Hindi curriculum.
5/n
From that I remember the instance of he proving his marksmanship with a pistol.
But more importantly, I went to a local library and actually issued an autobiography of his which I finished reading within two days.
I was in fourth class then.
From that I remember the instance of he proving his marksmanship with a pistol.
But more importantly, I went to a local library and actually issued an autobiography of his which I finished reading within two days.
I was in fourth class then.
6/n
The next I remember is from VIth class, once again in Hindi curriculum (Come to think of it, I don't remember any such stories as part of the NCERT English curriculum).
This one was from the 1965 war - the story of the shooting down of PAF Sabres by Indian Gnats being ..
The next I remember is from VIth class, once again in Hindi curriculum (Come to think of it, I don't remember any such stories as part of the NCERT English curriculum).
This one was from the 1965 war - the story of the shooting down of PAF Sabres by Indian Gnats being ..
7/n
.. piloted by Trevor Keelor and Sandhu.
This seems to be the last of the stories I remember studying as part of my school curriculum.
The last one in fact prompted me to attempt the NDA entrance examination to join the IAF, though I couldn't join due to some medical issues.
.. piloted by Trevor Keelor and Sandhu.
This seems to be the last of the stories I remember studying as part of my school curriculum.
The last one in fact prompted me to attempt the NDA entrance examination to join the IAF, though I couldn't join due to some medical issues.
8/n
My school years had me go through these three stories while growing up.
Yup, a grand total of THREE stories!
BUT, if you think that is freakingly low, here is what I realized about the current curriculum - With my elder one already in high school, he has been exposed to ..
My school years had me go through these three stories while growing up.
Yup, a grand total of THREE stories!
BUT, if you think that is freakingly low, here is what I realized about the current curriculum - With my elder one already in high school, he has been exposed to ..
9/n
.. a grand total of ZERO stories of valour of our men in uniform.
Yup .. not a single story thus far.
And by the looks of it, this figure isn't going to change in the rest of his school years ahead either.
.. a grand total of ZERO stories of valour of our men in uniform.
Yup .. not a single story thus far.
And by the looks of it, this figure isn't going to change in the rest of his school years ahead either.
10/n
This makes me wonder how difficult might it be to tell such stories to our kids during their formative years??
I doubt it will cost much either.
Thinking thus, here are a few pointers I compiled .. perfectly doable IMO.
This makes me wonder how difficult might it be to tell such stories to our kids during their formative years??
I doubt it will cost much either.
Thinking thus, here are a few pointers I compiled .. perfectly doable IMO.
11/n
Firstly, about the Primary Wing (Classes I to IV):-
1. One story each in Hindi and English literature books. Generic, easily worded.
2. One supplementary reading in English and Hindi in alternate yrs for classes III and IV to read in detail the life story of one martyr..
Firstly, about the Primary Wing (Classes I to IV):-
1. One story each in Hindi and English literature books. Generic, easily worded.
2. One supplementary reading in English and Hindi in alternate yrs for classes III and IV to read in detail the life story of one martyr..
12/n
.. of freedom struggle, eg Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh etc.
3. Indian war comics such as ones by Roli Books etc may be considered for the purpose.
.. of freedom struggle, eg Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh etc.
3. Indian war comics such as ones by Roli Books etc may be considered for the purpose.
13/n
Middle School. (Classes V to VIII):-
1. Two stories each in Hindi and English literature books.
2. Stories of wars fought by post independence India, (shooting down of PAF Sabres by Keelor / Sandhu, Battle of Rezang La, Story of Capt MN Mulla, Occupation of Siachen etc)
Middle School. (Classes V to VIII):-
1. Two stories each in Hindi and English literature books.
2. Stories of wars fought by post independence India, (shooting down of PAF Sabres by Keelor / Sandhu, Battle of Rezang La, Story of Capt MN Mulla, Occupation of Siachen etc)
14/n
3. Select stories of gallantry by pre independence Indian Army, e.g Saragarhi/Monte Cassino etc.
4. One supplementary reading each in English & Hindi on life story of a martyr of post independence Indian Armed Forces.
(NCERT may commission writing of such books on priority)
3. Select stories of gallantry by pre independence Indian Army, e.g Saragarhi/Monte Cassino etc.
4. One supplementary reading each in English & Hindi on life story of a martyr of post independence Indian Armed Forces.
(NCERT may commission writing of such books on priority)
15/n
Classes IX and X:-
1. Portion of history curriculum be dedicated to Indian Military History, including from pre British times.
2. 'Param Vir' by Maj Gen Ian Cardozo be made a compulsory reading
Classes IX and X:-
1. Portion of history curriculum be dedicated to Indian Military History, including from pre British times.
2. 'Param Vir' by Maj Gen Ian Cardozo be made a compulsory reading
16/n
And now, realizing that the Indian military history is a very rich one and it might be a disservice to the ones who might not find a mention in the curriculum, here is an idea which might be considered a tad bit 'radical'.
Make the history curriculum 'DYNAMIC', I say.
And now, realizing that the Indian military history is a very rich one and it might be a disservice to the ones who might not find a mention in the curriculum, here is an idea which might be considered a tad bit 'radical'.
Make the history curriculum 'DYNAMIC', I say.
17/n
Instead of teaching same parts of history, NCERT could divide history curriculum into two parts - fixed and dynamic. Fixed to include imp aspects of national history. Dynamic to change every academic year to teach something different each year, including specific campaigns..
Instead of teaching same parts of history, NCERT could divide history curriculum into two parts - fixed and dynamic. Fixed to include imp aspects of national history. Dynamic to change every academic year to teach something different each year, including specific campaigns..
18/n
.. from Historic / post independence days.
In addition, some more pointers are as under:-
1. Observe anniversaries of important battles such as Rezang La and Saragarhi with a short film / talk for students.
.. from Historic / post independence days.
In addition, some more pointers are as under:-
1. Observe anniversaries of important battles such as Rezang La and Saragarhi with a short film / talk for students.
19/n
2. Revive 'Bharat Scouts and Guides'. May be made compulsory for a particular year, eg Class VIII in all schools. May or may not be graded.
2. Revive 'Bharat Scouts and Guides'. May be made compulsory for a particular year, eg Class VIII in all schools. May or may not be graded.
20/n
3. Mandate a fixed percentage of expenditure on procurement of library books (say 5%) for procurement of specific titles pertaining to Indian Military History and current state.
3. Mandate a fixed percentage of expenditure on procurement of library books (say 5%) for procurement of specific titles pertaining to Indian Military History and current state.
21/n
^^ The above are pointers I jotted down over about an hour's sitting. I am sure the worthies in charge of running this nation could certainly add to these so that our kids know this amazing history of valour of their predecessors.
^^ The above are pointers I jotted down over about an hour's sitting. I am sure the worthies in charge of running this nation could certainly add to these so that our kids know this amazing history of valour of their predecessors.
22/n
As for what you can do as a parent, here's a seven tweet long thread on what my kid is doing to know about the glorious Indian military history.
I'm plugging it as part of this thread itself.
As for what you can do as a parent, here's a seven tweet long thread on what my kid is doing to know about the glorious Indian military history.
I'm plugging it as part of this thread itself.
23/n
A mighty impressive series.
My 13 yr old is hooked for good, ever since he got the first such book about five years ago!
A mighty impressive series.
My 13 yr old is hooked for good, ever since he got the first such book about five years ago!
24/n
Along with the PVC series, they have one on Ashok Chakra awardees too.
Along with the PVC series, they have one on Ashok Chakra awardees too.
25/n
Then there is this one. He fished it out for a revisit after the recent Siachen avalanche that claimed a number of Vir Madrasi boys, including Hanamanthappa.
A really commendable ..
Then there is this one. He fished it out for a revisit after the recent Siachen avalanche that claimed a number of Vir Madrasi boys, including Hanamanthappa.
A really commendable ..
26/n
.. effort by the authors and the publishers. They need to be supported so that they can recount the stories of valour of our heroes ..
.. effort by the authors and the publishers. They need to be supported so that they can recount the stories of valour of our heroes ..
27/n
.. in a form that our kids too can get to know them.
For adults, THIS is the book to read.
Buy it without any ..
.. in a form that our kids too can get to know them.
For adults, THIS is the book to read.
Buy it without any ..
28/n
.. second thoughts. None can match the effort made by Gen Cardozo in telling their stories.
A true masterpiece. http://www.flipkart.com/param-vir-our-heros-battle-english/p/itmdyu8v2fq3w5s6
.. second thoughts. None can match the effort made by Gen Cardozo in telling their stories.
A true masterpiece. http://www.flipkart.com/param-vir-our-heros-battle-english/p/itmdyu8v2fq3w5s6
29/n
As for the illustrated comics, get one for your kids every month. Let them not grow up unaware of our heroes. http://www.amazon.in/Param-Vir-Chakra-Somnath-Sharma/dp/8174369236
As for the illustrated comics, get one for your kids every month. Let them not grow up unaware of our heroes. http://www.amazon.in/Param-Vir-Chakra-Somnath-Sharma/dp/8174369236
30/30
The above topic is something really close to my heart, hence this chronicling of my thoughts.
I would love to see a day when the State takes it upon itself to tell our kids these stories of sacrifices of our soldiers.
Jai Hind
The above topic is something really close to my heart, hence this chronicling of my thoughts.
I would love to see a day when the State takes it upon itself to tell our kids these stories of sacrifices of our soldiers.
Jai Hind
