RANCHI: Government schools in
Jharkhand will now dedicate a day each year to teaching students respect for parents.
State education minister
Neera Yadav directed the state secretary of school education and literacy department on Saturday to issue a directive to Jharkhand's 40,000 government schools to organise, from this year, an annual 'Matri-Pitri Pujan' where students worship their parents.
"This wi ll help instil the traditions and culture of our country in children. Learning is not just about reading from a book. It also includes making a child a good person and help them learn about their culture and traditions,"
Yada v told TOI.
She said the idea came to her when, on a visit to her constituency Rajdhanwar, she witnessed such a programme at a government-aided school,
Lato Nayak High School. "The parents sat on chairs as their children stood before them with a puja thali...The teachers directed the children to apply tilak, garland their parents and touch their feet. A touching song was playing, and the whole scene was very moving," she said.
Talking about her directive, she added, "The schools can organise the programme on any holiday so that parents have time to attend."
While some parents appreciated the decision, others were not too pleased. "Instead of organising a puja one day a year, children should be taught to respect their parents," said
Pradeep Chaudhary, a parent.
Representative image 
