Gorakhnath gurus in UP textbooks as Yogi order chapters on ‘neglected’ heroes

A chapter on the life of Guru Gorakhnath has been added in a Class 6 textbook on the orders of Yogi Adityanath, who was 5-time MP from Gorakhpur before he became Uttar Pradesh chief minister

india Updated: Jun 16, 2018 11:07 IST

Pages of a chapter on Guru Gorakhnath from the Class 6 textbook titled ‘Mahan Vyaktitva.’ (HT Photo)

From the academic session starting July, textbooks in government-run schools in Uttar Pradesh will carrychapters on personalities such as the Nath sect saints Baba Gorakhnath and Baba Gambhirnath, freedom fighters Bandhu Singh and Rani Avanti Bai, and the 12th century warrior brothers Alha and Udal.

The move comes after Yogi Adityanath,who served five times as the Gorakhpur member of Parliament before becoming the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, gave directions to the Basic Shiksha Department to introduce chapters on great personalities who had been “neglected” under the previous regimes in the state.

Yogi is the chief priest of the Gorakhnath mutt, the headquarters of the Nath sect.

Basic Shiksha Adhikari Bhupendra Narayan Singh said, “This time, some changes have been introduced in textbooks, which will soon be distributed among school children studying in Classes 1 to 8.

A short biography of the medieval saint Gorakhnath has been added as chapter 6 in the Class 6 book titled ‘Mahan Vyaktitva’ ( great personalities ). Likewise, chapters on Gambhirnath, Bandhu Singh, Avanti Bai, Veer Alha, have been added in other books to be taught in Classes 1 to 8.

The chapter on Bandhu Singh includes how the guerrilla fighter, a staunch devotee of ‘Ma Tarkulha’, fought against the British and was publicly hanged at Gorakhpur’s Alinagar crossing on August 12, 1857.

Similarly, the story of Bundelkhand’s warrior brothers Alha and Udal has also been introduced to inspire children.

Rani Avanti Bai, the queen ofMadhya Pradesh who resisted the British after her husband King Vikramaditya’s death, will also feature in the curriculum.

The new textbooks have attractive colours and a QR code, which can be scanned to view digital formats of chapters on mobile phones.

Over eight lakh books have arrived in Gorakhpur for distribution in model primary and upper primary schools when the session commences from July 2, said the BSA.

“The aim behind including the new chapters is to let the younger generation know about these great personalities who had earlier failed to find a place in books. It will help the students become good citizens by learning about their teachings and inspiring life stories,” said Singh.