New Delhi— The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has introduced a new Class IX Hindi textbook titled “Ganga”, spotlighting the lives and contributions of three prominent figures from Punjab — Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Mohan Rakesh.
The newly designed textbook replaces earlier books Kshitij and Kritika, and has been curated to balance devotional and nationalist themes while strengthening students’ linguistic development.
A dedicated section in the book highlights the valour of Indian soldiers, with a detailed account of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, the only officer of the Indian Air Force to receive the prestigious Param Vir Chakra. Born in Ludhiana’s Isewal village, Sekhon is remembered for his bravery during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, where he engaged multiple enemy aircraft over Srinagar before making the ultimate sacrifice.
The book also features a historic speech by Lala Lajpat Rai delivered at a session of the Indian National Congress in Surat, emphasising discipline as the foundation of freedom.
Adding literary depth, the textbook includes works and references to renowned figures such as Mohan Rakesh, a leading voice of the Nai Kahani movement. It also incorporates an interview with legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, alongside writings from celebrated authors like Munshi Premchand, Padumlal Punnalal Bakshi, and Shekhar Joshi.
The poetry section brings together classical and patriotic compositions, including works by Suryakant Tripathi Nirala and Subhadra Kumari Chauhan, along with traditional pieces like Raidas’ Pad and excerpts from Ramcharitmanas. Contributions from poets such as Namdev and Maithili Sharan Gupt further enrich the content.
The textbook also addresses themes such as travel, social norms, and women’s education, while including activities aimed at promoting the importance of the mother tongue.
Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, the new curriculum continues NCERT’s phased rollout of updated textbooks for higher classes, following revisions already implemented for Classes I to VIII.
