Inclusion of history of post independent India in academic curriculam including Shri Madan Lal Khurana, have been taken note of. I am sure I will communicate it equally strongly to the Minister of Health and bring it to his notice that the Members feel very perturbed as they feel that according to them an assurance was given.

SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE (Bolpur): He said that sympathetic consid- eration will be given with an open mind.

SHRI RANGARAJAN KUMARAMANGALAM: He has not gone back upon his assurance of giving the matter a sympathetic consideration with an open mind.

SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE: We will now have to decide whether he has a mind or not. Or. he has an empty mind.

SHRI RANGARAJAN KUMARAMANGALAM: His mind is not empty. He still has an open mind.

SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE: Is the hon. Minister going back upon the statement made on the floor of the House?

SHRI RANGARAJAN KUMARAMANGALAM: No. sir.

10.10 hrs.

STATEMENTS BY MINISTERS

(j) Inclusion of the History of post Independent India In academic curriculum

[English]

THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI ARJUN SINGH): A few years from now, the nation will be celebrating the golden jubilee of its Independence. These years have been full of trials and tribulations, tumult and sometimes turmoil, but in this crucible of time, the

1105 Statt. by Minister

Inclusion of history of post independent India in academic curriculam earnest endeavours of the people from all walks of life have been able to fashion the destiny of a modern nation, of which all of us are proud. this passage of time has been an exciting and sometimes tragic experience for this old and ancient land but young nation. the challenges that confronted us on the marrow of our freedom, the manner in which we were able to mobilise and marshall our limited resources to face and overcome these challenges and then, inspite of many fail- ures, were able to march stead fastly to build brick by brick the edifice of a society committed to freedom, democracy, social justice and equality for all its citizens irrespective of caste, creed, religious faith or sex would remain one of the most momentous sages of human history. We of this generation who lived through some of these times have to an extent shared and have been enriched by this experience. The new generation that will come of age at the turn of this century will, however, have no such personal experience.

It is essential, therefore, to prepare an objective,and impartial historical narrative and convert it into a syllabus for our curriculum in the school and college level by the end of this century. Being acquainted with the history of the first five decades of our Inde- pendence will equip the new generation to carry forward the task of nation building with greater perception and concern.

With this objective in view, we are constituting a National Advisory Committee which will help prepare this contemporary history of post independent India and transform it into an appropriate curriculum. The Committee will consist of-

Dr. S. Gopal Chairman

Prof. Sabyasachi Bhattacharya Member

Prof. Ravinder Kumar Member

Dr. Bipan Chandra Member

Dr.(Mrs.) Dharma Kumar Member

Statt. by Minister 1106

20.12.91