NCERT draws flak for including ‘objectionable poem’ in textbook

PRAYAGRAJ: A Hindi poem, ‘Aam ki Tokri’, introduced in NCERT textbook for Class 1 has invited criticism from a lot of people.

Be it social scientists, experts dealing with child psychology, litterateurs or poets, all have condemned the language of the poem saying that NCERT should refrain from including a poem using words like ‘Chokri’ in course syllabus and have appealed to union ministry of education to drop it.

Famous litterateur Mamta Kalia of Sangam city said, “Language and vocabulary shapes the personality of a human being and by teaching kids to address a girl as ‘Chokri’ makes one ask as to what they are trying to teach kids. The vocabulary could be short, but it should be rich in content.”

This may be good rhyming of words but certainly not a poem that is teaching anything to young minds, added Kalia who has won the Vyas Samman, one of India’s most respected literary awards, in 2017 for her novel ‘Dukkham Sukkham’.

Echoing similar thoughts, noted social scientist and director of GB Pant Social Science Institute, Jhunsi, Prof Badri Narayan said, “Usage of some words is fine when we talk of local dialect but with the change in culture the words also change their meaning and relevance. The word ‘Chokri’ could show innocence at some period of time, but with the changes witnessed in Indian society over a period of time, the same word gives a wrong message today.”

Noted poet Shailesh Gautam said, “The poet could have used alternative words like ‘Munia’, ‘Ladli’ etc. By using such words, we are poisoning young minds.”

Commenting on the issue, clinical psychologist at MLN Divisional Hospital here, Dr Ishanaya Raj said, “The words used in this poem are not appropriate for anyone, surely not for kids as young as five-six years of age. This gender-biased language and imagery could seriously impact children’s mindset.