File pic: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

The ruling BJP in Madhya Pradesh has fashioned "personality development cells" in colleges for what it describes as lessons in character-building and nationalism for students.As part of this, students will attend lectures on various leaders including prominent Hindu icons like MS Golwalkar, a revered ideologue of the BJP's mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)."Personality Development Cells in MP colleges to expose youth to rich Indian culture, help build character & instill nationalistic fervor," Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted today.The "cells" begin functioning tomorrow. An official said the idea was to "instill patriotism, make young people understand Indian culture and traditions, promote moral values and raise able citizens with nationalist inclinations and a healthy mindset free of aberrations."

The character-building exercise will also feature workshops and seminars to discuss "great national and international personalities."A list is being drawn up but besides "Guru Golwalkar", these personalities include Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and international leaders like Nelson Mandela.