Chapter on Veer Abdul Hameed, Poem on National War Memorial Added to NCERT Class 6 Curriculum

New Delhi: To inculcate the values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage and sacrifice among students, a poem titled ‘National War Memorial’ and a chapter titled ‘Veer Abdul Hameed’ have been included in the NCERT curriculum of class 6 from this academic year. Developed on the lines of National Education Policy 2020 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023, the initiative is jointly undertaken by the Defence and Education Ministry of India, a press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) read.  

Who Was Veer Abdul Hameed? 

A braveheart, company quarter master havildar (CQHM) Abdul Hameed, an Indian soldier, made a supreme sacrifice fighting for India during the India- Pakistan war in the year 1965. He was awarded the country's highest gallantry award Param Veer Chakra (posthumously). He was born in Dhamupur village in Ghazipur district of Uttar Pradesh in the year 1933. 

“Hameed, the commander of a recoilless gun realised the gravity of the situation and moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep amidst heavy enemy shelling and tank fire. He quickly changed positions after taking advantage of a favourable location to take out the leading enemy tank and ignite another tank. After being recognised by the enemy tanks in the region, intense enemy fire with heavy explosives and concentrated machine gun was directed towards his jeep. CQMH Abdul Hamid continued firing his RCL at yet another enemy tank without ceasing. He was fatally wounded while doing so by an enemy high explosive shell. Inspired by the courageous deed of Havildar Abdul Hamid, his companions put up a valiant resistance and repulsed the enemy's massive tank onslaught. He showed total disregard for his safety throughout the operation, exhibited unwavering bravery in the face of persistent enemy fire, and did so in the greatest traditions of the Indian Army,” reads the official website of India's gallantry awards.

Poem on National War Memorial 

As per the PIB release, the poem ‘National War Memorial’ is to appreciate the spirit behind it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the National War Memorial to the nation on February 25, 2019, in the iconic Central Vista ‘C’ Hexagon, India Gate, New Delhi. The National War Memorial was set up to inculcate a sense of high moral values, sacrifice, national spirit and belongingness in every citizen and to pay befitting tribute to the soldiers, who laid down their lives defending the Nation. As part of an action plan initiated towards branding the National War Memorial (NWM) as an iconic National monument, the Ministry of Defence has collaborated with the Ministry of Education/NCERT to add NWM and related references/material to the curriculum.