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Odisha Textbook Shock: ‘Nimbuda Nimbuda’ Song Printed in Class 5 Book, Sparks Massive RowA major textbook controversy has erupted in Odisha after the popular Bollywood song ‘Nimbuda Nimbuda’ was found printed in a Class 5 government school textbook, raising serious concerns over the state’s education system and textbook review process.
The error came to light when readers noticed that the lyrics of ‘Nimbuda Nimbuda’—popularised in the 1999 blockbuster Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam starring Aishwarya Rai—had been reproduced verbatim in a school textbook. The song, originally based on a traditional Rajasthani folk composition, has no relevance to the prescribed curriculum, leading many to suspect a major publishing or printing lapse.
The incident quickly went viral on social media, with users expressing shock and disbelief. While some reacted with humour and memes, many questioned how such a glaring mistake escaped multiple rounds of proofreading and official approval.
The controversy comes amid growing scrutiny of SCERT textbooks in Odisha. Reports indicate that more than 1,600 errors have been identified across various textbooks, with Class 8 books alone accounting for 705 mistakes. These include factual inaccuracies, grammatical and spelling errors, and incorrect references.
Among the most shocking mistakes reported are the Karnataka Assembly building being identified as the Odisha Vidhan Sabha, Sir Isaac Newton being described as the “greatest pilot”, and Hampi in Karnataka being wrongly identified as the Konark Sun Temple.
Responding to the controversy, Odisha School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond said the government has taken the issue seriously. He stated that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the lapses, following which action was taken against officials found responsible.
The minister also announced that revised, error-free textbooks will be distributed to all government schools. Until then, teachers have been directed to identify and correct the mistakes while teaching to ensure that students receive accurate information.
The episode has reignited concerns over the quality control and editorial standards of school textbooks, with many demanding stricter review mechanisms to prevent such embarrassing errors from reaching classrooms.
