Saakshar Bharat Yatra’ a nationwide mobilization campaign organized by the National Literacy Mission Authority, Ministry of Human Resource Development culminated in Dehi today, in the presence of Minister of State for HRD, Shri E. Ahamed, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, Ms. Anshu Vaish, Shri K.K. Krishnakumar, Chairperson, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti(BGVS), and senior officials from the HRD Ministry, other representatives of the BGVS, foreign dignitaries and ‘jatha’ representatives.
On the occasion, a literacy musical video, ‘Shiksha ka Suraj’ was also released by Shri Ahamed. This video, written by Shri Javed Akhtar has been sung by Shri Sonu Nigam and Ms. Alka Yagnik. A number of well known film personalities like Shri Shahrukh Khan, Ms. Kareena Kapur, Shri Anil Kapur, Ms. Priyanka Chopra, Shri Farhan Akhtar and Ms. Shabana Azmi have participated in the video in public interest. This is proposed to be aired on Television shortly.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ahamed underlined the strides the country has made in the last 20 year in increasing literacy, adding that the impetus has to be kept up till the country achieves full literacy. He pointed out that Education is the most important component for social transformation.
‘Saakshar Bharat Yatra’ was organized by National Literacy Mission Authority, through the Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, a well known NGO. It was a part of ‘Environment Building’ activity to stimulate demand for literacy through Saakshar Bharat Programme. The Yatra was organized through kala jathas which included audio-visual programmes, road-shows, public meetings, Pad Yatras, Conventions, preparing People’s Wall and People’s Book, etc. It was flagged off from Delhi on 18th February, 2012 by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The Yatra covered 22 States, 187 Districts, 1000 Blocks and over 16000 Gram Panchayats throughout India, culminating at Delhi today.
The Jathas covered several States, implementing Saakshar Bharat Programme and went through some of the backward and left wing affected districts like Gaya, Jamui, Rohtas in Bihar; Hazaribagh, Giridi, Dhanbad, Koderma in Jharkhand, Balaghat, Mandia in Madhya Pradesh; Sundergarh, Bolangir in Orissa, Kewardha, Janjgir Champa in Chhattisgarh. The Jatha also covered some of the disturbed areas like Senapati in Manipur; Anantnag in Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland and Assam also.
There was overwhelming response for the Jatha across the country. People from all walks of life actively participated and supported the cause of literacy. Over 4-5 lakh people took part in the Jatha and more than 30 lakh in other programmes with a lot of enthusiasm and vigor to make Saakshar Bharat Yatra a grand success.
Ministers of Central and State Governments, Parliamentarians, Legislators, local community leaders, eminent writers, theatre personalities, social activists, scientists and leaders of women organizations, officials of State and Central Governments, Non-Government Organisations and other dignitaries took keen interest in the Yatra and participated in the functions held in different locations of states and districts. Many of them also extended support through their message.
MV/GK
(Release ID :81595)
|
