Govt. plan to compile villages history raise hackles

Jaipur, Jan 2 (UNI) The BJP government's decision to compile the history of the state's 41,000 villages and 186 towns has ruffled feathers with some historians and politicians expressing doubts about its authenticity.

At least 50,000 teachers would be involved in the project. They would gather the facts and write the history of each village and town, according to State Education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari.

The project "Apni Dharti, Apne Log", to be launched on January 4, will document facts such as number of communities in the village, their population, the village's origin, its people who may have ventured into various fields and have become famous.

However, historians ask whether teachers are competent enough to write the history of villages. Historian and history professor Dr Nand Kishore Acharya said those who do not understand facts simply cannot write history.

Many other experts are flaying the move by saying history is not mere compilation of timetables or tourist guides. Instead of undertaking such ventures, the government should concentrate on proper development of villages, they said.

Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said it was the ruling BJP's agenda to saffronise and add a Hindu touch to the history of the state.

However, some quarters welcomed the move saying it would rectify the discrepancies created by a few western historians like Colonel James Todd, as they were not aware of Indian culture and its ethos.

A political agent to the western Rajput States in the early part of the 19th century. Col. Todd is the author of "The Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan" excerpts from which is oft-quoted in tourism brochures and related literature. The widely travelled Col.

Todd had presented glowing pictures of the hardy Rajputs and their rulers.

UNI