Dharmendra Pradhan Launches Comic Book Developed by NCERT, UNESCO ‘Let’s Move Forward’

Union Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, introduced a captivating comic book titled "Let’s Move Forward" during an official launch event on August 29, 2023, held at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi.

The event saw the presence of dignitaries including Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of School Education Education and Literacy; Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; Dr. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director of NCERT; representatives from the Ministry of Education and UNESCO, as well as enthusiastic students.

Dharmendra Pradhan, in his address, underscored the comic book's role in inspiring students to prioritize their overall well-being while engaging them through compelling storytelling. The book places a strong emphasis on promoting good health and wellness. He emphasized the power of narratives in conveying vital messages, such as mental health awareness, and expressed his optimism about the creation of more such impactful comic books in the future.  Pradhan underscored the importance of well-crafted stories in fostering societal harmony and well-being.

He also underscored the significance of India's partnership with UNESCO during its G20 Presidency and the potential of the comic book format to disseminate the concept of FLN (Future Learning Network). He encouraged UNESCO to share Indian stories globally, aiming to benefit not just Indian youth but also young minds across the world.  Pradhan highlighted the importance of 'Explore,' 'Experiment,' and 'Experience,' asserting that these principles would play a pivotal role. He further emphasized the need to disseminate Indian knowledge as a guiding light during the Amrit Kaal.

The comic book, titled "Let’s Move Forward," is the result of a collaborative effort between the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and UNESCO New Delhi. This collaborative effort signifies a remarkable step towards advancing the objectives of the School Health and Wellness Programme (SHWP). The SHWP, initiated in April 2018 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ayushman Bharat campaign, is jointly managed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its primary aim is to provide health education, prevent diseases, and enhance access to health services through wellness centers within educational institutions.

The 11 thematic components encompass a wide range of topics including emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, gender equality, nutrition and health, substance abuse prevention, healthy lifestyles, reproductive health, and internet safety, among others.

More than just conveying health-related knowledge, this comic book imparts essential life skills necessary for fostering responsible and health-conscious behavior among adolescents. This innovative approach not only spreads awareness about health but also facilitates the acquisition of life skills critical for holistic personal development. The comic book is available in various languages, including Hindi, English, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odiya, Tamil, and Telugu, ensuring inclusivity across linguistic diversity.

Distribution of the "Let’s Move Forward" comic book will be widespread across educational and health institutions nationwide. It will be made available to State School Education Departments, SCERTs, Colleges of Teacher Education (CTEs), Institutes of Advanced Study in Education (IASEs), District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), Block Institutes of Teacher Education (BITEs), and state health departments.

The book will also reach the 29,000 schools affiliated with the CBSE, expanding its impact. In addition to print copies, an electronic version of the comic book will be accessible on the Ministry of Education (MoE), NCERT, UNESCO, and DIKSHA websites.