Odisha Textbook Row Continues as Education Minister Defends Inclusion of 'Nimbuda' Folk Song

By Sunil Jena | Editor-in-Chief | The Politics Odia

Bhubaneswar : The controversy surrounding errors in Odisha’s newly introduced school textbooks has taken a fresh turn after School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond defended the inclusion of the Rajasthani folk song Nimbuda in the Class VIII textbook.

Speaking during a public programme in Nabarangpur, the minister said the criticism surrounding the song was misplaced and argued that the National Education Policy (NEP) encourages students to learn about the diverse folk traditions and cultural heritage of different Indian states.

According to the minister, Nimbuda has been included as an example of India’s rich folk music tradition, and its popularity in contemporary culture makes it relevant for students. He alleged that critics were reacting without reading the textbook in full and were creating unnecessary confusion.

The minister also stated that action had already been initiated against officials responsible for genuine errors detected in the textbooks, while maintaining that the inclusion of the folk song itself was consistent with the objectives of the National Education Policy.

However, the controversy extends beyond the song. The Odisha government has already acknowledged thousands of mistakes across newly published textbooks, leading to disciplinary action against certain officials. The issue has prompted wider debate over textbook quality control, editorial scrutiny and institutional accountability.

Opposition parties have questioned both the preparation process and administrative oversight, arguing that errors in educational material directly affect students. They have also demanded greater accountability from the School and Mass Education Department over the publication process.

The debate now centres not only on the inclusion of specific content but also on whether sufficient quality checks were undertaken before the books reached classrooms across the state.

The Political Lens By Sunil Jena

Textbook controversies often extend beyond individual mistakes and raise broader questions about institutional accountability and quality assurance. Public confidence in the education system depends not only on correcting errors but also on ensuring transparent review mechanisms that prevent similar issues in the future.

Author Profile

Sunil Jena: Sunil Jena is the Editor of The Politics Odia, an independent digital platform that delivers fearless political analysis, ground reports, and investigative stories from Odisha. Known for bold storytelling and grassroots connections, Sunil is shaping a new era of regional journalism.