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Award gives fresh impetus to literacy workers

By Our Staff Correspondent

SHIMLA, SEPT. 13. The State Resource Centre in Himachal Pradesh run by Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti was conferred with a national award on the 38th International Literacy Day by the President, A.P.J, Abdul Kalam recently. The award was given to the centre for its outstanding contribution in the field of mass literacy, post literacy and continuing education.

Jianand Sharma media convenor of the centre informed that Kuldip Singh Tanwar, Director of the SRC, received this citation on the behalf of thousands of literacy workers of the State.

The National Literacy Mission Authority had launched a special programme in 45 districts of the country where female literacy rate was below 30 per cent. The volunteers of Himachal Gyan Vigyan Samiti (HGVS) took up 3 such districts in Bihar -- Khagaria, Sheohar and Sehersa -- with a view to accelerate the female literacy rate.

The spokesman informed that during past few years, a number of HGVS volunteers visited these districts many times. They acted as resource persons for training under `income generating programme' and conducted `monitoring and evaluation of female literacy programme'. The training included safe use of electricity, techniques of applying heena, preparing pickles and forming for Self Help Groups for which the SRC had developed two training modules.

It is worth mentioning that besides the low female literacy rate in these 3 districts, 58 per cent people are landless. The volunteers visited 110 panchayats, mostly in tribal and flood-affected areas. Of these, 72 panchayats do not have access to electricity and roads.

The award has not only enthused the volunteers but they have also realised their greater role and responsibility in the development of the State, claimed the spokesman. There are many areas in Himachal like Pangi, Salooni, Churah and Bhallai in Chamba; Chergaon, Dodra Kewar and Cheta in Shimla; Ronhat, Kamroau, Shilai and Trans-Giri areas of Sirmour and Moolthen area of Kangra where the female literacy rate is below 50 per cent, he said. The State Resource Centre and Gyan Vigyan Samiti have pointed out that presently the continuing education (CE) programme was being implemented in 262 districts of the country.

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