Odisha School Textbook Blunder: 'Nimbooda Nimbooda' Lyrics Appear In Class 5 English Textbook, Triggers Major Political Row

Odisha Class 5th Textbook Row: A printing error has reportedly come to light in a Class 5 English textbook circulated in Odisha, where lyrics from the popular Rajasthani folk number 'Nimbooda Nimbooda' were found printed in place of an actual lesson. The track, which gained massive popularity after featuring in the 1999 film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and being picturised on actress Aishwarya Rai, has now triggered an unexpected debate over how such content ended up in a primary school book meant for young learners.

Photographs of the textbook page began circulating online, exposing what appeared to be a serious lapse in the state's textbook publication and review system, and prompting parents, educators and social media users to question the entire process behind it.

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Odisha's Class 5 English Textbook: Reactions on Social Media

The incident sparked a variety of reactions online. While some users expressed their views through jokes and memes, others criticised the lack of proofreading and demanded greater accountability in the preparation of school textbooks.

Many questioned how such a major error could slip through despite the multiple levels of review that textbooks undergo before printing and distribution.

One user wrote, "It is hard to believe there is such a huge mistake in a children's textbook. We really need to take this seriously because what children learn today will shape the country's future."

Another user wrote, "Are @DHE_Odisha and @dpradhanbjp unaware of what is being taught in schools? On what basis were these books approved? Where was the review committee before publication?"

Another X user wrote, "An ill-prepared government—calling itself a government—is destroying Odia pride; this is a saga of ruin across Odisha. One or two mistakes might be tolerable, but here there are over 2,100 errors; if you look, you'll find even more."

Another user wrote, "@dpradhanbjp, please include Munni and Sheila as well."

Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, MP for Mumbai North Central and President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, also reacted to the incident. She wrote on her official X handle, "This reminds me of the famous joke about the student who didn't study for an exam and wrote the story of the movie 'Sholay' in the answer sheet. However, this is the 'syllabus writer' version of that."

Political Reactions Add To The Row:

The controversy also drew political commentary, with Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad comparing the episode to a popular joke about a student who, unprepared for an exam, wrote out the plot of the film Sholay instead of the actual answer, suggesting this was the syllabus version of that story.

Authorities Yet To Respond:

So far, the Odisha School and Mass Education Department has not issued any official clarification or statement addressing the alleged lapse. The silence from officials has only added to growing public pressure for accountability.

However, According To The Indian Express, it has been done under the ‘Ek Bharat … Shresta Bharat’ initiative. Both the songs (‘nimbooda…nimbooda’ and ‘Rind Posh Maal’) are there in the NCERT books from which we have brought it to books prepared by the Odisha govt,” the official said, requesting anonymity.

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Calls Grow For Stricter Review Process:

Education experts have weighed in, stressing that textbooks intended for young students must pass through rigorous scrutiny before printing. Many believe this incident should prompt a complete overhaul of the review and quality-check mechanism to prevent similar blunders from reaching classrooms in the future.