NEW DELHI, March 6 � The University Grant Commission (UGC) has advised all the universities to include the role of North-East in the freedom struggle of the country in their university curriculum.
According to an UGC directive, universities across the country have been advised to incorporate the history of NE, including the freedom fighters who participated in anti-colonial uprisings, as well as freedom movement.
The UGC directive has asked universities to include novels and short stories from the NE, besides arranging for student excursion and study tours to the NE, so as to understand and appreciate culture of the area. Regular cultural exchange between institutions in the NE and other areas is built in higher education system in the universities, said Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Content about various aspects of the NE have already been included in the textbooks of social sciences, such as history, geography and political science published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training, the Minister added.
The UGC directive was issued by Deputy Secretary Shakeel Ahmad in his letter to the VCs of all universities. �The MHRD had also constituted a task force to promote educational opportunities and welfare of students from the North-East,� he added.