There have been cases in the past where facts in textbooks have gone wrong. They have invariably sparked controversies. However, this time around not only wrong facts have been given in Class X textbooks, the wrong information has weakened the stand of the state government with regard to its rights over border land.
Geography textbooks of Class 10 students have mentioned Machhkund dam belongs to Andhra Pradesh not Odisha. On page number 69 of the textbook, it is mentioned that Machhakund dam is situated in Andhra Pradesh. Though textbooks have been printed in 2018, the factual errors are yet to be corrected. As a result, resentment has been brewing among students and parents, sources said.
Ironically, students of Class 10 are being taught Machkund dam is situated at Andhra Pradesh for last four years. This blunder came to the fore after Geography teacher of Mahadeiput High School Jogesh Khora caught it and informed departmental authorities and school headmaster in this regard.
It may be mentioned that Machkund Hydroelectric Project is situated at Lamtaput block in Koraput on Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border. First President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad had commissioned it in 1955. Though Odisha government is looking after its maintenance, Andhra Pradesh is using it for power supply.
Teacher Jogesh Khora said, “It’s a matter of shame that it is mentioned in Geography book that Machhakund dam is located in Andhra Pradesh.”
A student said, “Machkund is part of Odisha. But it is wrongly written that Machhkund belongs to Andhra Pradesh. Our teacher teaches us the right thing rectifying the error.”