History of country not being taught properly: Chouhan

Kalapi, UP, Oct 1 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said history of the country was not being taught properly.

Mr Chouhan, while addressing 'Naman Yatra' here, said no country that forgets its martyrs could progress.

''We are making efforts to rectify this mistake in Madhya Pradesh. A decision has been taken to provide adequate space for martyrs in the syllabus in the state,'' he said.

He said chapters related to one or two families had been removed, while names of numerous other martyrs had been added.

Mr Chouhan pointed out that '1857 War of Independence' could not succeed because of a few traitors. However, the war was a story of sacrifice that was written with blood.

Earlier, Mr Chouhan welcomed the 'Naman Yatra' -- organised to pay tributes to warriors of the 1857 war -- at Kalpi Nagar.

Jalaun MP Bhanpratap Verma, former Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kesrinath Tripathi and other BJP leaders from Uttar Pradesh were present on the occasion.

Mr Chouhan said the British had to taste defeat at the hands of Maharani Lakshmibai at Kalpi.

He reminded that several revolutionaries laid down their lives during the 1857 war and its aftermath as a part of independence struggle.

Expressing concern over several recent decisions of the Centre, he said the country would regain its glory with the help of contribution of youths.

Taking strong exception to opposition to questioning of existence of Lord Rama, he said Lord Rama was not just considered an incarnation but was identity of the nation.

He said merely saluting the martyrs would not help.

The country had to be taken ahead on the path of development even while instilling patriotism in common man.

Naman Yatra convenor and former minister Premlata Katiyar said 41,000 people had laid down their lives during freedom struggle at Kalpi.

Mr Chouhan felicitated descendents of freedom fighters on the occasion. These included revolutionaries Tantya Tope's descendent Vinayak Rao Tope, Nana Saheb's army chief Ganguram Balmiki's descendent Baburam Balmiki and Bajirao Peshwa's companion Appa Saheb Kanhere's Anil Rao Kanhare.

UNI