NCERT Adds Major Somnath Sharma's Story in Class 8 English Textbook
Students in Class 8 will now read about the heroic story of Major Somnath Sharma, India's first Param Vir Chakra awardee, in their newly updated NCERT English textbook. Featured in Unit 2 titled "Values and Behavior", the story highlights the historic Battle of Badgam and Major Sharma’s supreme sacrifice for the nation.
According to NCERT, the inclusion aims to teach students the values of courage, duty, and patriotism. The newly launched textbook “Pūrvaī” also includes stories of other Indian icons like Verghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution, and Bibha Chowdhuri, India's first woman particle physicist.
A Tale of Valor
The "Short Details" section of the textbook introduces the chapter titled “A Tale of Valor: Major Somnath Sharma and the Battle of Badgam”. It teaches students about selflessness and national commitment, emphasizing how these values leave a lasting impact.
Major Somnath Sharma was an Indian Army officer who attained martyrdom on November 3, 1947, during the Battle of Badgam while defending Srinagar from Pakistani-backed intruders. Pakistan had launched “Operation Gulmarg” in an attempt to capture the Kashmir Valley.
Spanning seven pages, the chapter explains how the battle began in August with over 1,000 infiltrators violating agreements and entering Kashmir. Despite being outnumbered, Major Sharma and his soldiers remained resolute.
His life and sacrifice symbolize the highest ideals of duty, honor, and patriotism. The chapter states, “Most importantly, his story reminds us of the sacrifices made by countless men and women in defense of the motherland and showcases their deep sense of duty.”
Tasks to Expand Critical Thinking
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, the new textbook contains five thematic units. These include stories, poems, dialogues, and both narrative and descriptive texts designed to inspire children with themes such as courage, kindness, critical thinking, curiosity, service, and resilience.
Each unit includes three literary elements — a story, a poem, and a dialogue or non-fiction article. The lessons are supplemented with questions and a “Let’s Discuss” section to assess comprehension and stimulate deeper thinking.