New Delhi: The National Council of Educational Research and Training’s (NCERT) decision to include ‘Operation Sindoor’ in school textbooks has been welcomed by retired Army officers, who said the move would instill patriotism and awareness about national security among students.
Colonel Rajiv Khakera (Retd.), from the Army’s Corps of Air Defense, said to IANS, “We all saw how the Army, through precision gunfire and missile systems, carried out a tremendous job during Operation Sindoor. It is a matter of great happiness that every child in the country will now learn about this heroic chapter. It will serve as a strong motivational factor for joining the Army.”
Lt. Colonel Kapil Dutt (Retd.) called the NCERT’s decision “very good”, adding that learning about the operation in detail would encourage students and inspire them to take up careers in the armed forces.
Operation Sindoor, considered a decisive counter-terrorism mission, is seen as a key moment in India’s internal security strategy. Veterans believe that its inclusion in textbooks will ensure the legacy of those who served is remembered by future generations.
General P.S. Malhotra (Retd.) also lauded the move and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s outreach efforts such as ‘Mann Ki Baat’. “I hope ‘Mann Ki Baat’ continues well beyond 200 episodes. The Prime Minister is truly connected with the people. As for Operation Sindoor, its addition to NCERT books is a great decision that strengthens our national identity,” he said.
Wing Commander Praful Bakshi (Retd.) stressed the operation’s symbolic value. “It is essential for school children, college students, and the public to understand the impact of Operation Sindoor. It has now become a symbol -- one that marks the beginning of the end of terrorism in India,” he said.
The NCERT plans to implement the change in the upcoming academic year as part of a broader effort to integrate military history and national pride into the school curriculum.