CBSE 12th standard book also acts as an ‘image guide’ for students

A book on Physical Education authored by VK Sharma titled Health and Physical Education Textbook published by New Saraswati House has set standards for the “perfect female body.”  It claims that 36-24-36 “shape of females is considered the best”, reported the NewsMinute.

The book, aimed at 12th standard students under the Central Board of Secondary Education curriculum goes on to state that contestants of Miss World and Miss Universe have the best bodies, and to achieve that one must exercise. It reads “If we perform regular exercise, we will be able to make our bodies beautiful. It can be seen in Miss Universe competition.  Beautiful figures are appreciated in such contests”.

Targeted at 16 to 18-year-olds, the concept of an ‘ideal body image’ is problematic enough, that the only role models to aspire to, according to this book are ‘models’ tells us more.

This is not the first time that textbooks have promoted such skewed ideas.

According to Sharma and the schools prescribing said book, the message is no longer that of a healthy and fit body, but rather, what’s attractive.