Guj officer 'helps' RSS-linked body hold workshop for schools

An education department officer here allegedly helped an RSS-affiliated body hold a workshop two days ago for representatives of school managements in the district where discussions centered on the lives of "historical" figures from Hindu epics.
The objective of the workshop - where events in the lives of "historical" figures such as Lord Ram's brother Bharat, and Bhishma were discussed - was to improve the academic environment, said Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal joint secretary Mukul Kanitkar today.
"Our presence in Ahmedabad is negligible, so we approached the district education officer A K Rathod to help us send invites. He sent invites with official letters seeking presence of representatives of schools. We were expecting 125-150 participants, but only 25 came," he said.

"The objective is to shape up the future of our children by discussing examples from the Indian history. We organise workshops for teachers, parents, and school managements with the aim of improving academic environment," he said.
"Such events are organised all over the country. It was the first such workshop here," Kanitkar said.
There were discussions on "historical figures" - Bhishma from Mahabharat, Lord Ram's brother Bharat, Prahlad etc.

The participants discussed whether Bhishma, with his intelligence, could have done a better service to the society by supporting the Pandavas instead of the Kauravas, or whether Bharat was right to censure his mother Kaikayi for sending Ram into exile, he said.

DEO Rathod could not be contacted for comments despite several attempts.
Gujarat education secretary Sujit Gulati said he wasn't aware of the workshop. "I learnt about this from you. I will find out more and then respond," he said.