The Hindu : Front Page : No number is too big for her

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Tuesday, Oct 24, 2006
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No number is too big for her

N. Rahul

The girl, barely 10 years, found the answer to a mathematical riddle literally at her fingertips

PHOTO: AP

A WIZARD: World Bank Managing Director Graeme Wheeler applauds Vijayalaxmi of Government Primary School at Ibrahimpally village near Hyderabad on Monday.

CHEVELLA (Andhra Pradesh):

World Bank Managing Director Graeme Wheeler was a delighted man watching a girl, barely 10-years old, find the answer to a mathematical riddle literally at her fingertips in a classroom demonstration in a remote village in Ranga Reddy district on Monday.

Vijayalaxmi arrived at the right total, adding up some big numbers on her fingers. Bending down to the girl, who is under four feet, he posed for a photograph with her. She was put to the test as Mr. Wheeler, accompanied by officials, visited the government primary school at Ibrahimpally to get a firsthand account of rural livelihoods.

Mr. Wheeler's schedule at Ibrahimpally and Chevella, 2 km away, included individual and collective interaction with self-help groups (SHGs) on their exposure to agriculture, education, health and income generating issues. He hailed the State's SHG model as the most successful in Asia.

Arriving at Ibrahimpally in the early hours, he walked into a Dalit's house and squatted on a carpet to hear her success story.

This was the newly constructed house of the SHG member Begari Kalavathi, who earlier lived in a shack. She has two sons who are pursuing higher studies in Hyderabad.

The World Bank official then met all other members of Kalavathi's SHG collectively in the house. His repeated poser to them was about the difficulties they encountered while continuing in the group. The women failed to grasp the question. Their stock reply was that they never had any problem since joining the group.

Mr. Wheeler was also interested in knowing about the leadership of the groups and how they drew up lending priorities. He was told that the leaders were non-controversial and that lending was based on urgent needs.

Addressing meetings, Mr. Wheeler expressed happiness that the women created great opportunities for their children.

P. Ramakanth Reddy, Special Chief Secretary, Finance; P. Krishnaiah, School Education Secretary; and L. Premchandra Reddy, Ranga Reddy Collector, were present.

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