The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has unveiled a supplementary module focusing on women’s empowerment for school students. This module, titled “Nari Shakti Vandan,” is the third installment in a series of special supplementary reading materials curated by the council. It highlights various government initiatives such as Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, self-help groups, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, and the recent legislation reserving 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. Previously, the council released modules on India’s Chandrayaan-3 space mission and India’s G20 presidency as part of its recommended school curriculum.
“The modules have been crafted with the aim of incorporating notable national achievements into the school curriculum as supplementary reading,” an anonymous official stated. These materials are intended for students from classes 1 to 12.
The release of the women’s empowerment module coincides with various central ministries issuing guidelines to enhance women’s participation in the workforce.
The new module comprises seven units covering topics such as women’s empowerment, political involvement of women for equality, economic empowerment of women, and women’s contributions to societal development.
The module emphasizes the historical reverence for women in India, highlighting their roles in providing support, love, and protection in various capacities since ancient times. It references Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text, which states, “Yatra naryastu pujyante ramante tatra devataah, Yatraitaastu na pujyante sarvastatraphalah kriyah” (where women are revered, there reside the gods; where they are not revered, all actions become fruitless).
Underlining the central government’s commitment to promoting women’s empowerment, the module asserts, “It is dedicated to enhancing the lives of women in the nation and eliminating any obstacles hindering their development.”
Additionally, the module cites a statement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who remarked, “The determination, willpower, imagination, decisiveness, and relentless pursuit of goals demonstrated by India’s women—this embodies the essence of our nari shakti (women power).”
