Recent Proposal
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has set up a high-level committee for curriculum revision, which has suggested renaming the country from "India" to "Bharat" in school textbooks.
NCERT's Response
NCERT clarified that the recommendation has not been approved yet, stating it's too premature to comment as the new syllabus is still in development.
Public Reactions
The proposal has sparked controversies and debates. It became a hot topic when the Rashtrapati Bhavan referred to the president as the "President of Bharat" in its recent invitations.
Reasons for the Proposal
The rationale behind the proposal lies in historical and cultural contexts. Committee members referred to ancient Hindu texts, emphasizing that "Bharat" has historically been the name of the country.
Additional Recommendations
Beyond the name change, the committee also recommends equal representation for all dynasties that have ruled the country, as well as the inclusion of new historical and archaeological discoveries in the syllabus.
Historical Context of "Bharat"
The term "Bharat" has long-standing historical and cultural usage in referring to the country.
Previous Formal Usage
The term caught attention when it was used formally in invitations from the Rashtrapati Bhavan for a G-20 dinner, citing the host as the “President of Bharat.”
The recommendation for the name change in textbooks is not just a mere alteration of a name; it bears with it layers of cultural, historical, and political significance. The debate around it underscores the ongoing discussions about national identity in a rapidly changing sociopolitical landscape.
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