By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi : War historian Shiv KunalVerma has called for adoption of an alternative education system with thrust on military history of India in the curriculum.

Taking part in a discussion over his recent book, Yodha – The Illustrated Military History of India, Verma called for making available contents on military history in manner that engages students.  

Editor of the publisher of Verma’s book, Pankaj P Singh, underscored: “The children are largely not aware of our military history.” Singh highlighted Verma’s pursuit of alternative education.

Verma dispelled the notion that students in schools are not interested to read history books. He shared an anecdote from his visit to the Assam Valley school. 

“I was invited by a very dear friend of mine, Derek Mountain Ford, Assam Valley School. I am reluctant to go to schools, thinking that the students were mainly from trader families and they will not be interested in military history,” said Verma.

He stated that he had “preconceived ideas in my own head made me hesitate, but he insisted”.

The one student who had physical challenges made huge efforts to rise from his wheel chair while asking the first question, recalled Verma. On his insistence that the student should ask question without rising, Verma recalled the student, saying: “I will stand because I owe it to the people who died (in battles).”

Th war historian recalled that his talk in the school went on for two hours and nobody wanted to go.

“We are making a huge mistake by having these preconceived ideas that the children don't want to read. We are not giving them good material,” said Verma, emphasising on the lack of educational materials on military history with which students can relate to.

“If you give them good material, everybody will read. So, we need to raise the bar. We need to do that,” added Verma.

Verma is a military historian who has written a number of books on India’s wars. Verma is also collaborating with state governments for the documentation of the military history in their respective regions.

Verma said that he has completed a Tamil Nadu trilogy, which documents the military history of the state.

Verma was born in a military family. His father had fought the 1962 War and also the 1971 War. Verma also wrote the Northeast Trilogy.

Yodha – The Illustrated Military History of India – has 1600 illustrations, and the book documents wars fought from Ramayana till the Uprising of 1857. In the second volume, Verma will document India’s military history until the Kargil War.

Yodha – The Illustrated Military History of India – has been published by

The Browser, which is well-known for bringing out military literature.

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