Social media users slam definition of ‘modern girl’ in school book

Team Udayavani, Aug 27, 2018, 3:49 PM IST

Bengaluru: The description of the ‘modern girl’, in a book titled ‘Current School Essays and Letters’ intended for young students of CBSE and ICSE has drawn severe criticism from parents of the students, who were left flabbergasted after reading its contents. 

Authored by Purabi Chakraborty, the essay goes on to define the modern girl as a ‘self-centred creature than a loving daughter or sympathetic sister’. 

The modern girl, according to the author, is more concerned about the latest trends in fashion and there is no place for a saree in her wardrobe. She is more concerned about her health and figure because of which she hardly has time to care for her family members. Furthermore, it says that she eager to enjoy life fully and so she does not want to miss any party, cinema show, concert, fashion parades and such outdoor activities. She talks and makes friendship with boys freely and easily.

The essay has not only evoked objections from the parents but also from social media users since it started getting circulated on the internet.

Wow this is not parody. The definition of a “modern girl” in a school essay book, via @mtanmay from the wall of Abhik Hazra. Modern girls are apparently “self-centred creatures”. https://t.co/6cNunsA4ME pic.twitter.com/HMnX4QTlrx

— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) August 20, 2018

“A modern girl is too selfish to think about others. Only latest fashion and cosmetics are dear to her”. A textbook intended for ICSE & CBSE board by a nanny called Purani Chakraborty. #Shameless #trash @derekobrienmp @HRDMinistry #cisce #CBSE @TheOpIndian @Manekagandhibjp pic.twitter.com/8BsAM5haYS

— Soma Basu (@sbasu_in) August 20, 2018

What a disgusting definition of modern girl! Students should unlearn this if already they have learned from the book. pic.twitter.com/MONJdSFbkh

— taslima nasreen (@taslimanasreen) August 21, 2018

Reportedly a school in Bengaluru has prescribed the privately-published book as part of its syllabus while some others have it in their library as a reference book.

Following the furore on social media, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) in a press release, stated that schools should follow the syllabus on the curriculum prescribed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)/ CBSE, and use textbooks published by them as far as practically possible. If a school chooses a privately published textbook, it should exercise extreme caution, and ensure it does not contain any objectionable content.

If prescribing books having such content, the school will have to take responsibility of such content,” the release said.

It added that the bye-laws further mandate that the school will put a list of such books prescribed by it on its website, with a “written declaration duly signed by the manager and the principal to the effect that they had gone through the contents of the books prescribed by the school and own the responsibility [for them].”