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Prizes get Golwalkar tag in Rajasthan

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: Undeterred by criticism of the content of its school textbooks, the Rajasthan Government on Wednesday instituted three prizes named after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) ideologue M.S. Golwalkar, to be given every year to students winning a State-level debate competition on "cultural nationalism''.

State Education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari, making the announcement at a prize distribution ceremony of Rajasthan Rajya Pathyapustak Mandal here, said the debates and exchange of views on cultural nationalism would promote "constructive talent'' among young students. The first prize will be of Rs. 11,000, while two second prizes would comprise Rs. 5,000 each.

Calling upon the students to get inspiration from the life and works of Guru Golwalkar, Mr. Tiwari said the greatness of the RSS leader was reflected in the condolence on his death offered in both Houses of Parliament, even though he was not a member of Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.

The Minister affirmed that the prizes instituted to commemorate Guru Golwalkar in his centenary year would help promote moral values and improve the character of students in addition to their educational development.

The textbooks of secondary classes in the Government schools of the State have come under attack by educational experts, who have alleged that they were promoting hatred and prejudices against Dalits and minorities. The experts have demanded withdrawal of such textbooks.

Referring to the massive history writing exercise under the "Aapni Dharti, Aapna Log'' (our land, our people) project, Mr. Tiwari said its draft had been prepared and a workshop on "fundamental elements'' of collection of historical facts would be held shortly in Jaipur before launching the work.

"History is nothing but knowledge of the past with its true facts. We can enrich our present only if we know of our rich culture, religion, traditions and political thought of yore,'' said Mr. Tiwari.

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