Hyderabad, July 16 -- The Uttarakhand government has announced the inclusion of the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana in the syllabus of over 17,000 government schools, starting Wednesday, July 16.

Additionally, all students will be required to recite verses from the Gita.

Speaking to reporters, state education minister Dhan Singh Rawat said it will be mandatory for all students to recite verses from the Gita during the morning assemblies.

Uttarakhand director of education, Dr Mukul Kumar Sati, said the initiative is not religious but aims to promote moral values among students. "One shloka will be recited and discussed each week in prayer assemblies. The teachings focus on behavioural science, leadership, emotional intelligence, and deci...