Latest news with #TalikiVandanam
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Nara Lokesh Slams Gender Stereotypes In Textbooks, Calls For Curriculum Overhaul
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and Human Resource Development Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Nara Lokesh, has called for a sweeping review of school textbooks in the state, flagging what he described as "deeply embedded gender stereotypes" in early childhood education. In an exclusive interview to NDTV, Lokesh said that primary school content often portrays women in limiting roles and reinforces traditional biases that should have no place in modern classrooms. "In our Class 1, Class 2 textbooks, you will find women doing the household work and the man reading the newspaper. These are stereotypes," Lokesh said. "We are unconsciously reinforcing these roles in our children's minds." The remarks come ahead of a state-wide initiative called Taliki Vandanam under the TDP's education outreach programme. Lokesh said his party, if elected to power in Andhra Pradesh, will take steps to ensure that the curriculum reflects "respect, equality, and neutrality" in how gender is represented. The Education Reform The push to reform textbooks is part of a wider education plan by the TDP, which has been sharply critical of the YSRCP government's handling of public schooling. Lokesh said the TDP is focused on both improving academic infrastructure and embedding social values early in the schooling system. He also took aim at cultural language norms that subtly perpetuate gender biases. "We've taught our teachers and parents that saying things like 'don't cry like a girl', or 'are you wearing bangles?' is very wrong," Lokesh said. "If a child cries, say 'don't cry like NTR', who never cried - make it gender neutral." Such phrases, he argued, may seem trivial but have a lasting psychological impact on how children view themselves and others. A Broader National Context Gender representation in education has been an ongoing debate across India. The National Curriculum Framework 2023, introduced under the New Education Policy (NEP), acknowledges the need to make textbooks free from stereotypes, but implementation at the state level remains uneven. In Andhra Pradesh, the issue has not seen large-scale public discourse until now. Lokesh's comments are likely to resonate among educationists and child rights activists, especially as Andhra Pradesh prepares for its Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting (PTM) 2.0, a state-wide outreach programme aiming to involve nearly 2 crore stakeholders. The TDP, under Lokesh's leadership, appears to be positioning education not only as a policy priority but also as a space to redefine social norms.
NDTV
09-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"We Will Lead AI Like We Led IT": Nara Lokesh On Creating Job Opportunities
Ahead of Andhra Pradesh's Mega Parent-Teacher Meet (PTM) 2.0, which will have the participation of over 2 crore people from across the state on a single day, NDTV spoke to state IT Minister Nara Lokesh about the state's efforts to transform education from KG to PG, tackle gender stereotypes from primary classrooms, and adapt parenting for the digital age. Here's the full interview: How are you preparing youth to be more job-ready? Answer- I have the unique distinction of handling both Bharat and India-education for Bharat, and IT and electronics for India. It's not just about educating our youth but also about creating job opportunities. So we are revamping our curriculum from KG to PG to make it future- and skills-ready. #NDTVExclusive | Andhra Minister Nara Lokesh (@naralokesh) speaks exclusively to NDTV's @vasudha156 and @tmvraghav on new education policy, language row and the mega PTM 2.0. — NDTV (@ndtv) July 9, 2025 With initiatives like the upcoming Quantum Valley in Amaravati and the rise of AI and machine learning, we need to upskill our young population. Under Mr Naidu's leadership, the Telugu community led the IT revolution. Now, we must prepare them for the next wave-in AI, ML, and quantum computing. Q: What is your approach under the Taliki Vandanam scheme? It began during my padayatra. I noticed deeply rooted gender stereotypes, even in early education. When I became minister, I reviewed first and second grade textbooks. All household work was shown being done by women. I asked-why should it be this way? My wife Brahmani and I lived in the US and shared responsibilities equally. I believe such values must start from primary education. So, we changed visuals in textbooks, and we're speaking out against phrases like "don't cry like a girl" or "are you wearing bangles?" Taliki Vandanam is more than a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. It's about instilling respect for mothers and women. The Mega PTM is part of this broader cultural shift-to get blessings from mothers and honour them in society. Q: Were you ever scared of PTMs as a schoolboy? Lokesh: I'm my mother's son. My father was usually away, so my mother raised me. She attended the PTMs, and I was quite a naughty child. So yes, I got a proper scolding at home afterwards! Q: Do you support the National Education Policy, especially the three-language formula? Lokesh: Absolutely. The TDP's support for the Prime Minister is unconditional. We believe in his leadership. When I met Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhanji, he emphasised the importance of mother tongue-not Hindi imposition. We support teaching multiple languages-three, four, or even five. Job markets are global, and we are teaching Japanese, German, and more. We should embrace Hindi too-it's our national language, and we have no objection. Q: But does the three-language policy threaten the Telugu identity? Lokesh: Not at all. Why are we pitting languages against one another? That's politically motivated. Our conversation with the Centre is about strengthening education in the mother tongue. Language isn't a threat-it's a bridge. The more languages our children learn, the stronger our unity as a nation. Q: How has parenting changed over generations? What's the biggest challenge today? Lokesh: Earlier, joint families taught us to share, serve elders, and communicate. Today, with nuclear families and work stress, children are often raised by Instagram or Inshorts. Socialization has moved online. We still live in a joint family, and I encourage all parents to involve grandparents. That generational value transfer is crucial. As a nation, we must revive the strength of family systems.
Hans India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Chandrababu announces implementation of Taliki Vandanam Scheme
In a significant move marking the one-year anniversary of the coalition government, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has approved the implementation of the Taliki Vandanam scheme, a key promise from the Super Six initiative. The government is set to deposit ₹8,745 crore into the accounts of 67.27 lakh mothers, aimed at supporting families with children. The Taliki Vandanam scheme will specifically benefit mothers of children entering class one and intermediate this academic year. The funds are to be released as soon as the admissions are finalised and the necessary data is available. A Government Order (GO) detailing the procedures will be issued today. In addition to the Taliki Vandanam scheme, the government is also actively implementing a range of other initiatives from the Super Six promises, including pension increases, the Anna Canteen programme, Mega DSC, and Deepam-2.
