IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Set to Appear in NCERT Class 5 Textbook's EVS Our Wondrous World Edition
India's education system has taken a significant step forward with the introduction of the new Class 5 Environmental Studies textbook, "Our Wondrous World," published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This innovative textbook, part of the TWAU (The World Around Us) series, launched under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to foster ethical reasoning, environmental consciousness, respect for cultural diversity, and a global outlook in young learners.
The textbook adopts an integrated interdisciplinary approach, combining science, social science, and environmental studies into a unified learning experience. Emphasising real-world connections, stories, and hands-on activities, the book encourages students to make meaningful links between various subjects, fostering a holistic understanding of the world.
One of the key features of "Our Wondrous World" is its focus on global and national awareness. Students will embark on geographical journeys, such as following the Godavari River, learning about diverse ecosystems like the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sundarbans, and understanding national conservation initiatives like the Namami Gange Programme.
The book also promotes unity and cultural diversity. The chapter "Our Vibrant Country" introduces Indian cultural richness, including national symbols, traditional dress, monuments, dances, and stories of national icons such as APJ Abdul Kalam, Bhagat Singh, Rani Lakshmibai, and Chhatrapati Shivaji. This section aims to enhance respect for cultural plurality and unity among students.
Environmental stewardship is encouraged through inquiry-led learning activities such as nature walks, model-making, interviews, and journal-writing. These activities enable students to observe nature carefully, hypothesize, test, and draw conclusions about the environment, fostering a connection to the natural world and a sense of responsibility towards it.
Inspiration is drawn from a global and planetary perspective, with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's reflection that Earth looks "one from space" emphasising planetary unity and a sense of shared responsibility for the environment. Shukla, who recently returned from a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), elaborated that from space, it appears as if no borders, states, or countries exist, and all humans are part of one humanity sharing one home, Earth.
Practical knowledge for sustainable living is another crucial aspect of the textbook. The book covers microbial life, food preservation techniques, oral hygiene, flood safety tips, and understanding water in its various forms. These lessons aim to build awareness about health and environmental conservation.
The textbook also includes innovative tools, such as the digital addressing system DIGIPIN, which helps students appreciate technology that aids in location identification, emergency responses, and connectivity, linking local living with broader societal frameworks.
In conclusion, "Our Wondrous World" is designed to equip young learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to become responsible citizens of both India and the planet. By fostering ethical reasoning, environmental consciousness, respect for cultural diversity, and a global outlook, this groundbreaking textbook is set to shape the next generation of environmentally and culturally aware citizens.
It is worth noting that Group Captain Shukla's quote about the Earth's unity, made during an open discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been included in the textbook, further emphasising the book's message of global unity and shared responsibility. Shukla's journey to the ISS, India's first trip to the ISS in more than 40 years, since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 flight, served as a powerful inspiration for the textbook's content.
- The integrated interdisciplinary approach adopted in "Our Wondrous World" not only combines science with environmental studies, but also extends to space and astronomy, as Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's reflection about Earth's unity from space underscores the planetary connection.
- Besides promoting education and self-development through practical knowledge for sustainable living, the digital addressing system DIGIPIN integrated within "Our Wondrous World" serves to connect local living to broader societal frameworks, reflecting the textbook's mission to create globally aware and technologically savvy individuals.
