Tavleen Singh writes, ‘I am not averse to school history books being revised or revisited, they have been written by those who exalt the ‘great Moughals’ & diminish Hindu rulers & their often magnificent achievements.
The books were so boring with the dates that most of us slept in the history class. But one noticed that there were three periods of history that were taught : ancient India, Moughal & British.
I learnt of pre- Islamic India when an adult, heard of the mighty South Indian dynasties & the wonders of Hindu Civilization. On holidays in Indonesia & Cambodia has the proof of Indian civilization , influencing language culture & religion across the east. Angkor Watt & Borobudor left me stunned by their beauty & scale.
If there is a bit of revisionist history being introduced into school textbooks, it would be fine. The Moghuls did tear down temples & impose taxes on idol worshippers, and the truth about these things should never have been concealed from children.
Along with this movement if the current state of our schools is addressed with the quality of teaching, The children taught by one teacher, all subjects as he can. In the rural schools, this teacher also lives far. When the student needs him, he is not available. The parents are illiterate & cannot help.
Instead of wallowing in our glorious past, now we should be building our glorious present & future !
So much thought has been put in the process, I believe we will see an improvement in a few years from now.
Asian Entertainment 