New Delhi, June 25: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has addressed recent controversies regarding the Class 6 Kannada R-3 textbook. The council provided a detailed explanation in response to questions raised about the textbook’s name and its food-related content.
NCERT clarified that every aspect of the textbook, from its title to the chapters on food, has been carefully crafted from both educational and cultural perspectives. Some reports questioned the name ‘Krishna’ and the food items included in the Kannada textbook. In light of these discussions, NCERT emphasized that the title is not linked to any ideology, religious context, or specific message. Instead, it follows the tradition of naming textbooks after India’s great rivers.
The council noted that similar textbooks have been published under the names ‘Ganga’ for Hindi, ‘Kaveri’ for English, and ‘Jamuna’ for Urdu. Adopting the name of the Krishna River, deeply connected to Karnataka’s identity and cultural heritage, is a natural step towards linking local contexts with education.
According to NCERT, the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework 2023 emphasize connecting education with local culture, traditions, and students’ lives. This approach led to naming language textbooks after rivers, fostering students’ connection to their regional and national cultural heritage. There were claims that a chapter in the textbook promoted a specific type of food.
However, NCERT dismissed these concerns, stating that the chapter titled ‘Health is Wealth’ aims solely to explain the importance of a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet. The chapter clearly outlines that balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and cleanliness are essential for good health. Students are also educated on the vital role of milk, fruits, leafy vegetables, and other nutritious foods in meeting their bodily needs.
Interestingly, the illustrations in the textbook feature not only vegetarian but also non-vegetarian food items. This indicates that the discussion of food is not confined to one category but presents a broad concept of balanced and nutritious diets. The chapter includes mentions of traditional and health-promoting dishes from various states of India, aiming to convey the message that India’s food culture is incredibly diverse and rich, with many forms of healthy eating.
NCERT explicitly stated that the textbook does not attempt to prove vegetarianism superior or oppose non-vegetarianism. The entire chapter focuses on raising health awareness and developing an understanding of balanced diets.
The council reiterated its commitment to providing quality educational materials and welcomes suggestions and constructive criticism from teachers, parents, experts, and other sections of society to improve textbooks. Regarding the controversy, NCERT stated that the textbook’s goal is to connect students with local culture while fostering an understanding of health, nutrition, and Indian diversity, rather than supporting any specific ideology or dietary practices.
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