Rajasthan: Panel asks NCERT to delete ‘chhokri’ word from textbook

JAIPUR: The state child commission took cognisance of an ‘improper’ word used in an NCERT Hindi textbook and has shot a letter to the council to omit the same.
A poem in the ‘Rhimjhim 1’ textbook prescribed by NCERT contains the word ‘Chhokri’, which according to the child commission is improper and expressive of child labour.
The poem shows a six-year-old girl carrying a fruit basket and she is being referred here as ‘Chhokri’. This word is considered as slang in some parts of the country and its use in the course books is very disgraceful, said the letter. The commission has asked NCERT to make the necessary correction and send a report within 15 days of receipt of the letter.
The word ‘Chhokri’ is expressing child labour in an uncompassionate way in the poem “Aam Ki Tokri’. One can argue about its usage as a colloquial term referring a girl, but its usage is completely outrageous and objectionable in formal education system. The commission condemns the fact that this poem has been part of Hindi course book since 2006 and is abashed to see how this could go unnoticed by learned members of the council for so long!,” wrote Mahendra Pratap Singh, member secretary, Rajasthan commission for protection of child rights (RSCPCR) in his letter to NCERT.
The commission has directed the concerned authorities to take corrective measure with immediate notice.
The letter dated May 22 further said that the last two lines of the poem depict insensitivity and first-grade students reading this poem will not be able to gain a reformative perspective through this poem rather the first take away that they would gather is casualness and mockery towards such children who can be seen working in the neighbourhood.
Elaborating more on the subject, Singh said, “As responsible adults we should avoid exposing our children to such immoral words and unhealthy emotions. Even if we wish to highlight the social harsh realities to them it should be done in softer way by inciting right kind of emotions in them. Our pedagogy is expected to include the material that helps school and teachers in inculcating high moral values and unfortunately this piece of work is terribly falling short on that.”