NCERT’s ‘Chandrayaan Utsav’ modules ascribe Modi for Chandrayaan-3 success, blend vedas with science
New Delhi: Special supplementary reading modules released by the National Council of Education Research and Training on Chandrayaan mission, on Monday have garnered special attention, after the modules attributed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the lunar mission’s success. Additionally, the copies incorporate mythological references blending it with science.
A module designed for the foundation stage named ‘Our Chandrayaan’ accessed from the NCERT’s website read as, “You know, due to the unsuccessful landing of Chandrayaan-2 on the Moon, the morale of all scientists shook, they were very sad. The Prime Minister of our country, Shri Narendra Modi, boosted the courage of our scientists and asked them to try once more. All scientists together tried and improved their work by learning from past experience so that the ‘lander’ could successfully land on the lunar surface by the launcher,” read an interactive module for nursery and Class I and II children.
Additionally, the module also includes pictures of Modi joining the live telecast of the launch, his interaction with the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) headquarters in Bengaluru and a photo of the Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface.
According to the Telegraph a secondary stage module expressed praise for Modi, stating,“The leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi played a crucial role in the triumph of Chandrayaan-3 and landed our country’s name on the surface of the moon.”
However, this has raised concerns among space experts, citing a space expert the Telegraph mentioned , that it might incorrectly imply that the mission's success was solely due to the Prime Minister's involvement, which doesn't align with ISRO's history of bouncing back from failures.
The Expert pointed out that ISRO has a long history of learning from failures and succeeding in subsequent attempts, such as the examples of the Satellite Launch Vehicle and the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle.
“After every failure, ISRO never gave up. However, the text in the NCERT module creates the impression that Chandrayaan-3 was launched only after the Prime Minister asked the scientists to try once more. This may not be matching Isro’s track record,” as quoted by the telegraph citing the space expert.
Additionally, another module designed for middle school students blends scientific achievements with mythology. It references ancient texts like the Vymaanika Shastra and the Vedas, suggesting that India had knowledge of flying vehicles in ancient times.
The module read as, “Did scientific achievement happen only now?… Literature tells us that it can be traced back through Vymaanika Shaastra: ‘Science of Aeronautics’, which reveals that our country had the knowledge of flying vehicles in those days.”
It adds, “The Vedas, the oldest of Indian texts, makes a mention of various gods being transported on wheeled chariots pulled by animals, usually horses, but these chariots could also fly.”
The module also mentions the Pushpaka Vimana from the Ramayana, linking it to mythology. “It was created by Vishwakarma, the chief architect of gods, out of the dust from the Sun for Brahma. Brahma gave it to Kuber. When Ravana took over Lanka from Kuber, it was used by Ravana as his personal vehicle,” says the module.
The supplementary reading material on India’s Lunar Mission ‘Chandrayaan’ was released by the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, in the presence of ISRO Chairman S.P Somanath in New Delhi on Monday, October 17.
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Ranji Trophy final: Paras Dogra headbutts Karnataka substitute during heated Day 2 in Hubballi
Huballi: Tempers flared on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy final as Jammu and Kashmir captain Paras Dogra was involved in an ugly on-field incident with Karnataka substitute fielder KV Aneesh at the Hubballi Cricket Ground.
The confrontation took place in the 101st over of Jammu and Kashmir’s first innings. Dogra, who was batting with Kanhaiya Wadhawan during a key partnership, edged a delivery from Prasidh Krishna for a boundary. Soon after, he exchanged words with Aneesh, who was fielding at forward short leg.
What began as a verbal exchange quickly turned physical. In a sudden outburst, Dogra moved towards Aneesh and headbutted him while still wearing his helmet. The act left players and officials stunned, forcing the umpires to intervene immediately.
Senior Karnataka batter Mayank Agarwal stepped in and confronted Dogra, while the umpires worked to calm the situation. At the end of the over, Dogra apologised, but Aneesh appeared visibly upset and did not accept the apology on the field.
The tension did not stop there. Agarwal and KL Rahul were also seen engaging in sharp exchanges with the Jammu and Kashmir skipper. Moments later, another heated moment unfolded when Karnataka pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak and Wadhawan came face to face after accidental contact during a run. Teammates and officials again had to step in to prevent matters from escalating further.
Despite the dramatic scenes, Jammu and Kashmir continued to stay in control of the match. The team crossed the 350-run mark in the first innings, building on the strong start made on Day 1.
Earlier, Shubham Pundir had anchored the innings with a well-made 121. Yawer Hassan contributed 88 runs, while Abdul Samad added 61, putting Karnataka under sustained pressure in the final.
