We have all danced to one of Bollywood’s most iconic tracks, Nimbooda Nimbooda, featuring Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan from the 1999 romantic film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the song is known for its Rajasthani folk-inspired music, vibrant choreography, and Aishwarya Rai’s energetic performance. Now, students in Odisha are reportedly reading the song’s lyrics, not on a music platform, but in their Class 5 English textbook.
Bollywood song lyrics reportedly printed in school textbook
A major printing error has reportedly come to light in an Odisha Class 5 English textbook after the lyrics of Nimbooda Nimbooda were included as part of an English lesson, according to Odisha TV report.
The unexpected appearance of the popular Bollywood song has sparked questions about the editorial process behind the textbook. Many have wondered how such a mistake managed to pass through multiple stages of review, proofreading, and approval before the books were printed and distributed to schools.
Social media floods with memes and criticism
Soon after screenshots of the textbook began circulating online, social media users reacted with a mix of amusement and concern. While many turned the incident into memes and jokes, others described it as a serious lapse that should not have happened in school textbooks.
— KantInEastt (@KantInEastt)
One user said it was difficult to believe that such a major mistake had made its way into a children’s textbook. The person stressed that educational content must be handled with greater responsibility because it shapes the learning of future generations.
Another social media user questioned the approval process, asking how the textbook received clearance from the concerned authorities and where the review committee was before publication. The user also tagged the Odisha education department while demanding accountability.
Some users were harsher in their criticism, claiming the textbook contained several errors and alleging that this reflected poorly on the state’s education system.
The issue also caught the attention of Varsha Eknath Gaikwad, Member of Parliament and President of the Mumbai Regional Congress Committee.
— VarshaEGaikwad (@VarshaEGaikwad)
Reacting on X, she said, “Reminds me of the famous joke about a student who didn’t study for exams so wrote the plot of the film Sholay in the answer sheet. This, however, is the syllabus writer version of it.”
Authorities yet to issue detailed response
As of now, the Odisha School and Mass Education Department has not released a detailed statement addressing the reported printing error.
Meanwhile, educationists have emphasised that textbooks, especially those prepared for primary school students, should undergo thorough scrutiny before publication. They believe strict proofreading and multiple rounds of verification are essential to ensure that learning material is accurate and free from avoidable mistakes.
The controversy has once again started the conversation on the importance of maintaining high editorial standards in educational publishing.
