Ramayana, Mahabharata to be taught in schools

Government plans to scientifically incorporate the epics of Ramayana, Mahabharat and vedic mathematical studies as part of the education curriculum.

Before the Human Resource Development ministry can incorporate these text in the syllabus, Culture ministry has been asked to bring on board the various historical researchers to establish that these epics are not merely mythological texts but have scientific links.

The decision was taken after BJP President Amit Shah held a meeting with the education ministers of BJP-ruled states on September 5 and 6. The meeting was also attended by HRD minister Smriti Irani and culture minister Mahesh Sharma.

The cultural ministry has initiated the task of identifying researchers and historians who have conducted scientific research on these texts. The first consultation is to begin from September 17.

Ramayana and Mahabharat are already taught in schools. "These texts are currently being taught as stories. These periods had also made great scientific advances, which history seems to have ignored. The idea is to make the students aware of these interesting details," said a senior officer of the ministry of culture.

The culture ministry has also prepared a document on the same. In the document prepared by the ministry it has referred to the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, which reveal that airplanes and rocket launchers existed in the Ramayana era. The document also suggests that atomic bombs and tear gas shells were used during the Mahabharat era. Vedic mathematics was also practised during these times.

"The idea is not just to teach these texts as stories. The scientific and mathematical techniques and its social values can be taught at different grades," added the officer.

The culture ministry will hold several rounds of consultations with various stakeholders to come to a logical scientific conclusion. Through these consultations the ministry also wants to draw a nationwide consensus on the issue.

The government then plans to hand over this document to HRD ministry. The HRD ministry will then be formulating a committee for incorporating these texts as part of the textbook curriculum.

A senior BJP functionary present in the meeting with Shah last week also informed that the HRD ministry has consciously being kept out of the project for the time being. "The HRD ministry has so far been in several controversies in all policy matters, so the cultural ministry has been given the task to lead the project," added the member.

Conscious effort
A senior BJP functionary present in the meeting with Amit Shah last week also informed that the HRD ministry has consciously being kept out of the project for the time being. "The HRD ministry has so far been in several controversies in all policy matters, so the cultural ministry has been given the task to lead the project," added the member.