Letters to The Editor — October 2, 2026
This article features two letters to the editor: one discusses changes to the NCERT Class 9 Social Science curriculum, which reduces European history in favor of Indian history and the contested Sengol, emphasizing the need for balanced historical inquiry. The second letter criticizes the inaccessibility of Tamil Nadu government helpline numbers, highlighting a disconnect between announced services and actual citizen access.
Why it matters
The curriculum changes reflect ongoing debates about national identity and historical narratives in education, impacting how future generations understand their past. The issue with government helplines points to critical failures in public service delivery and citizen engagement.
The new NCERT Class 9 Social Science curriculum significantly reduces the space given to modern European history, replacing chapters on the French and Russian Revolutions. At the same time, it places a much-needed emphasis on Indian history, exploring traditions of governance, sacred responsibility, and regional resistance and resilience. The inclusion of the Sengol provides an opportunity for students to learn about India’s civilisational continuity and political traditions. Since the historical interpretation of the Sengol remains contested (Inside pages, October 1), it is vital that textbooks present competing accounts with adequate evidence. In an age shaped by global change, our education system must seamlessly combine cultural rootedness with rigorous historical inquiry and critical thinking.
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