Saakshar Bharat Programme

Saakshar Bharat Programme is a mission and determination of the Government of India to make all non-literate women literate before the end of the Eleventh Plan (2011-12). The President Pratibha Devisingh Patil herself emphasized female literacy and in her address to the Joint Session of Parliament underlined the need to bridge the yawning gender gap in literacy. Keeping the Government's declaration and firm intention in mind, the National Literacy Mission Authority of the Ministry of Human Resource Development has conceptualized Saakshar Bharat Programme.

Saakshar Bharat Programme

Saakshar Bharat, a centrally sponsored scheme of Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL), was launched by the Prime Minister on the International Literacy Day, September 8, 2009.

Saakshar Bharat Programme (SBP) aims to further promote and strengthen Adult education. It aims at covering those who missed the opportunity of formal education earlier, and now feel a need for learning of any type, including basic literacy, basic education (equivalency to formal education), vocational education (skill development), physical and emotional development, practical arts, applied science, sports and recreation.

Within next three years, the Saakshar Bharat Programme will cover 70 million non-literate adults (60 million of them, women) in 15 plus age group in 365 low female literacy districts. This would redress the gender, social and regional disparities in literacy.

The Programme's main focus group would be women and adolescents from socio-economically disadvantaged sections like the SCs, STs, Minorities and other disadvantaged sections in rural areas of low female districts.

In SBP, all its programmes including Basic Literacy, Basic Education (linked to Equivalency with formal education system), Skill Development and Continuing Education will be taken up in continuum, without break. With respect to Basic Literacy, a flexible approach would be followed, including Volunteer-based literacy center, appointment of Resident Instructors where educated Volunteers are hard to find locally, Residential Camps, part-residential and part-volunteer-based approaches.

Lok Shiksha Kendra

In each Gram Panchayat a Lok Shiksha Kendra (Adult Education Centre) would be established to take up various types of continuing education programmes. Each Adult Education Centre would be manned by two Preraks (at least one of them, woman).

The gender perspective would permeate all different core aspects of the programme including the approach, strategies, planning, management structures, TLMs, T-L processes and monitoring and evaluation. This could reinforce women empowerment.

The overall aim of the programme is to promote and strengthen adult education in the lifelong learning perspective and create a literate society. To this end, it seeks to establish adult and continuing education as a permanent and institutionalized set up parallel to formal education system. This would strengthen the right perspective for adult education.

The Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) would be the main implementing agency at the district, block and gram panchayat levels, with the State Literacy Mission Authority(SLMA) and the communities at the village level as valued stakeholders.

Especially at the Gram Panchayat level, the programme is envisioned as a programme of, for and by the people, under the auspices of the village panchayat. All stakeholders, especially at the grassroots level would have a due say and role in the planning and implementation of the programme. The role of National Literacy Mission Authority and State Literacy Mission Authority will be that of catalytic agencies, facilitators and resources providers.

The programme has conceptualized the Adult Education Programme in the right perspective of lifelong education, and seeks to build it as a permanent and institutionalized system, alongside and parallel to the formal education system.

This has devised a regular and uninterrupted fund flow system directly to the Panchayats through banks, cutting out the delays.

ILD Celebrations

In the International Literacy Day celebrations, for the first time, the SLMA Directors, SRC and JSS, besides their Chairpersons, Volunteer Teachers and neo-literates participated in large numbers, and heartily welcomed the launch of Saakshar Bharat.

To infuse new energy among neo-literates and literacy activists, NLM organized a special interactive programme with the President. About 100 women from States and Union Territories participated, dressed in their traditional costumes.

For the first time in India, the celebration of the International Literacy Day was combined by a week-long celebration of Adult Learners Week (ALW) in all states and districts.

In connection with the finalisation of the strategies and approach to implementation of Saakshar Bharat Programme, consultative meetings were held with representatives of State Governments, NGOs, literacy practioners, administrators, SRCs, universities, etc. More than 20 Task Forces under SRCs, & NLMA Members elaborated strategies and implementation modalities on various core aspects of Saakshar Bharat programme.

The Programme was launched on October 1, 2009. In view of the changes envisaged the strategy and approach of the programme, with special focus on women, designing a state of the art teaching-learning materials became imperative. Accordingly, based on national consultations involving experts, state-specific primers were prepared by each SRC, and kept in readiness for printing and distribution in time for the programme.

Capacity Building of Key Resource personnel is the first step for launching the cascade training strategy for a programme like Saakshar Bharat, which deploys a massive number of Volunteer Literacy Educators – something of the order of seven million for a target of 70 million non-literates. All the SRCs have undertaken one or two rounds of capacity building of the key resource personnel and in some cases, even the orientation of the PRI members.

In the adult education system envisaged in lifelong learning perspective, Equivalency Programme is one of the salient facets, whereby equivalency with formal education system in respect of III, V, VIII levels and even beyond is planned. Democratisation of education system and increase in the educational level, through the aegis of adult education system is on anvil, which would significantly raise the educational level of Gram Panchayat. For the first time, authentication and certification of prior knowledge of adults is planned.

Jan Shikshar Sansthans

The Jan Shikshar Sansthans (JSSs) are a unique creation of the Government with the challenging mandate of providing vocational skills to non-literates, neo-literates and rudimentary level education. The priority groups of Jan Shikshar Sansthans are women, SCs, STs, Minorities and also other socio-economically backward sections of the society. For the first time, a proforma was developed that could, at glance, reveal details of courses, beneficiaries, duration, programme expenditure, etc. This made possible the review of the progress in Annual Action Plan.

In adult education, motivation and mobilization of the non-literates as well as volunteers are critical for their participation. The changed context of rural areas, with the penetration of IT, ICT, including radio, TV, mobiles, would call for changes in strategy of motivation and mobilization. Thus, the Strategy Communication Group for implementation zeroed in intensive use of Radio and outdoor print message medium for launching environment building for Saakshar Bharat programme. For the next phase, a combination of the traditional environment building based on kalajathas as the dominant mode with the modern technology-based communication strategy could be used.

Based on the broad National curricular Framework for Adult Education, Primers for Saakshar Bharat programme have been prepared by the SRCs in respect of various languages. These have been scrutinized at national level review meetings by the Quality Assurance Committee. After receiving the Quality Assurance Certificate, these primers could carry NLM logo and would be eligible for printing and distribution.

The National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad, has been commissioned by NLMA to conceptualize and articulate the strategy for the Orientation of the PRI members and its administrative functionaries at panchayat, block and district levels. NIRD, in collaboration with SIRDs and their district counterparts, have worked out the strategy for PRIs orientation, to be completed by March 2010.

The NLMA has taken up, in a series of four-five states, the orientation of the SLMAs, to launch Saakshar Bharat programmes in their respective states. In such orientations, the SLMA members, State Education Secretaries and Directors of Adult Education would receive orientation on different core aspects of Saakshar Bharat programmes.

TCS upbeat on Q3, to hire more employees

Upbeat over the company’s performance in the successive third quarter ended December 2009, the IT giant Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is looking forward at hiring 8,500 trainees and around 3,000 laterals in fourth quarter of the financial year 2010.

"We have already employed 8,703 trainees in Q3 and expect to add 8,500 more trainees in Q4 FY 10. We have had significant employee additions in Q3 and given the growth we may continue to hire in Q4 as well," TCS' Vice-President and Head, Global Human Resources, Ajoy Mukherjee, told reporters.

Setting aside the effect of global recession, the country’s largest information technology (IT) services exporter has reported a 34 percent growth in its net profit at Rs.1,824 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2009, against Rs.1,362 crore in the year-ago period.

The company’s revenue grew up by 5.1% from Rs7,277 crore in the third quarter of December 2008, to Rs7,649 crore in the December quarter of the current fiscal. Encouraged by the company’s performance TCS announced a quarterly dividend of Rs.2 per share.

The company benefited from a sequential growth in the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) which helped together in growing TCS’ revenue from Rs.7,435 crore in the September quarter to Rs.7,649 crore in the December quarter, while the same period witnessed growth in profit from Rs.1,642 crore to Rs.1,824 crore.

The BFSI vertical contributed around 45% of TCS’ revenues. BFSI revenues were Rs. 3,441 crore (Rs. 3,086 crore), manufacturing Rs. 592.48 crore (Rs. 721 crore), retail and distribution Rs. 801 crore (Rs. 716.3 crore), telecom Rs. 1,113.23 crore (Rs. 1,12.7 crore) and others Rs. 1,701 crore (Rs. 1,591.2 crore). TCS gets around 53% of its revenue from clients in the US.

“TCS yet again posted high growth and delivered on margin improvements for the third successive quarter in this difficult year. Our investments ahead of time in emerging markets, multiple industries and client relationships, is reflected in our exemplary performance,” N. Chandrasekaran, CEO and Managing Director, toldMedia.

India’s second largest IT exporter Infosys Technologies Ltd reported on Tuesday a sequential growth of 6.8% in dollar revenues with the support from BFSI in the US.

‘YUVA TRAINS’ for youth

‘Yuva Trains’ targeted mainly for the unemployed youths of the country is all set to roll out soon in early 2010, at a time when youth has become the political buzzword of the ruling Congress party. A passenger will be charged between Rs.299 and Rs.399 depending on the distance he travels.

‘The total chargeable fare for Yuva passengers inclusive of all other charges like reservation fee, Superfast charge and development charge would not exceed Rs.299/- up to a distance of 1500 kms and Rs. 399/- for distance beyond 1500 up to 2500 kms,” said spokesperson for the Ministry of Railway.

Initially the service will be launched as a pilot project with two separate weekly trains will run between Mumbai to Delhi and Delhi to Kolkata. The extension of Yuva Trains to other areas of the country will depend upon its success rates.

Children between 5 and 12 years will continue to be charged half fare. The benefit of Yuva Train fares will be met by only those unemployed persons who fall between 15 and 45 years and fulfill certain criteria.

To fulfill the criteria of Yuva so as to avail the concessional fares, a person will have to produce certificates issued under National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) and valid Registration card issued by a Government run Employment Exchange. And if age is not specified in these certificates, a person will have to get an age certificate like Identity Card, Ration Card, Driving License., Passport, educational certificate, certificate from local bodies like Panchayat/Corporation/Municipality or any other authentic and recognized document on which date of birth is recorded.

Initially, 60 per cent of the total number of coaches will be earmarked for ‘Yuva’ category. The remaining will be earmarked for general passengers (non-Yuva). The trains will be fully airconditioned with one chair car. Tatkal scheme would not be applicable in Yuva Trains.

Yuva Trains is the brainchild of Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee who had announced in this year’s Railway Budget that “these trains dedicated for the young generation will be introduced between major cities to ensure that the youth and low income groups can travel at low rates between these cities”.

Ruchika case: Justice delayed, Justice denied

Judicial system, one of the three main pillars of our democratic system, is itself in question today. It is the sheer delay in disposition of cases that has forced many to point fingers on its functioning. And if, after a long delay a victim and its family get inept justice, what can be said then — justice or injustice? Repetitive, common, but one of the unfortunate feature of our legal system has once again put today judiciary in bar with the conviction in Ruchika Girthora, molestation case.

The budding 14-year-old Panchkula resident tennis player Ruchika was molested by former Haryana director general of police (DGP) S.P.S. Rathore almost two decades ago in 1990 that ultimately propelled her to commit suicide three years later. August 12 proved the darkest day in Ruchika’s life when Rathore attacked and molested her at his HLTA office. Failed to bear the incessant pressure to withdraw the case against the IPS officer and the following continuous mental harassment of her and her family finally forced her to end her life. Rathore, now 66, was also then head of the Haryana Lawn Tennis Association (HLTA). On Monday, Special CBI magistrate J S Sidhu convicted Rathore under IPC Section 354 (assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and handed him six months of rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs.1,000.

The over-delayed and inappropriate justice caused outrage among activists and created uproar in Parliament Tuesday with everyone saying the quantum of punishment was “too little, too late”. “A criminal who committed that crime in police uniform and escaped justice for 19 years was rewarded with promotion after promotion. And, 19 years later this criminal has finally been found guilty. What is the punishment - just six months,” CPM MP Brinda Karat, who sought a fast-track justice system in sexual harassment cases involving minors, raised the burning question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

What caused this delay and how this delay could be tackled is the question of hour that needs to be answered to avoid repetition of such delays. To win the confidence of the people in the judicial system, all the four pillars legislature, judiciary, executive and media should act in tandem.

However, in recent years judiciary has won the confidence of people with the disposal of cases against some influential defendants when justice meted out to the vulnerable victims, as happened in Jessica Lal murder case, Nitish Katara murder case, Uphaar case and some others. Chief Justice of India, K G Balakrishnan, has himself pointed out many times the need to expedite the disposal of cases and to streamline the justice delivery system.

Inordinate pendency of cases, which is the biggest problem in disposition of cases, inadequate number of judges, pathetic infrastructure of lower courts, lethargic police investigation are some of the immediate issues which cause delay in meting out justice.

The judges’ conference, held in August this year, deliberated on a number of steps to get rid of flaws in judicial system, and for reduction and elimination of backlog of cases with provisions of speedy trial of criminal cases. Among other steps, it was badly needed to improve infrastructure in the lower courts and to set up more evening courts in subordinate judiciary. It was also felt to strengthen vigilance cells in the high courts, and the senior judges would be entrusted to review the progress made in setting up of vigilance cells in each district to keep a tab on the functioning of lower judiciary.

Article 39-A of the Constitution directs the State to secure equal justice and free legal aid for the citizens. The State, however, has failed squarely on addressing some very basic issues — quick and inexpensive justice and protecting the rights of poor and the vulnerable. The Constitution guarantees the right to speedy trial but the judiciary has so far been incapable to ensure it effectively. The NDA government during its regime had created few fast-track courts, but those little numbers have made a marginal difference. The creation of more and more number of fast track courts and the establishment of gram nyayalayas (village courts) is the need of the hour.

Time has come for all the concerned persons to sit and discuss ways to introduce and implement such laws to deal with such issues so as justice be meted out to innocent litigants in quickest time; and, at the same time, we should not forget that delay drains even a just judgment of its value, leaving behind the old but wise adage “justice delayed is justice denied”.

Sushma succeeds Advani as LS Leader of Opposition

New Delhi

Putting all speculation to rest BJP stalwart L K Advani stepped down as leader of opposition giving way to Sushma Swaraj to become the first female politician to be appointed as the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha.

The 82-year-old veteran leader is elected Chairman of BJP parliamentary party. “This is a new chapter in my life,” said Advani, the author of “My Country My Life”.

"If they think that I will quit activeness and politics, then it is all wrong. I think that I became a rath yatri at 14 when I was just out of high school and became a Swayam Sewak.... This rath yatra would go on for life," Advani said.

In another top level changes in the party, Rajnath Singh quit as the party president. Maharashtra BJP chief Nitin Gadkari will replace him as the next president. The development in the party took place in consultation with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the party's ideological mentor.

Gadkari's elevation to the top organisational post in the party is expected to be announced after the party's parliamentary party meeting on Saturday.

The replacement of the top leaders has come at a time when the party is itself divided facing internal bickering and blame-game since BJP’s debacle in the parliamentary election. The generational change in the leadership also seemed inevitable to meet the future political challenges and to attract the young voters closer to BJP against the Congress advocating youth leadership.

Advani who scripted the rise of BJP from the mid-eighties could not fulfill his dream of becoming the prime minister in the 2009 parliamentary polls. Advani joined RSS in 1942 at the mere age of 15 and later associated with Bharatiya Jana Sangh. Advani was information and broadcasting minister in the Janata Party government. He became home minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in 1998 and served as deputy prime minister from 1999 and 2004. The BJP-led NDA remained in power at the Centre from 1998 to 2004.

French Ice Cream lands into hot water

New Delhi

If Shakespeare were alive, he would have said “what is in publicity” instead of “what is in name”. Publicity is all about in transaction of any fresh business today. Whether good or bad, doesn’t matter. All that matter is to gain popularity by fair means or foul. It just happened with Haggen-Dazs ice cream parlour and ‘international-quality’ ice-cream landed it in hot water, when the parlour at Saket here kicked off its business under the tagline “EXLUCIVE PREVIEW FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS! Access restricted only to holders of international passport.”

The controversy all started with the touchy tagline displayed at a South Delhi mall soon spread like wildfire and the owner had to take down the signboard. Arindam Haldar, director, Haagen-Dazs apologized for creating the unintentional controversy, saying “No one was turned away because of nationality.” He further expressed his viewpoint, “Haagen-Dazs is here to tap the Indian market but the sign post clearly smacks of apartheid. And I wonder what went through the minds of creative heads at TBWA, the agency that worked out the teaser campaign.”

The message was intended to suggest that Indians can enjoy, for instance, a taste of the French Riviera, here Häagen-Dazs, without traveling to France. “Unfortunately the reference to the international passport holder on the poster may have led to a significant miscommunication. This was completely unintended and we apologize for creating the misimpression that may have hurt our sentiments as Indians," he further clarified.

IIM-Indore professor found slain in campus residence

Indore

An IIM-Indore professor Amrita Pancholi was found slain in her flat at the institute’s residential campus on Friday morning. Several stab injuries have reportedly been found on her body.

The 32-year-old professor was perhaps attacked on Thursday night with sharp-edged weapons by unidentified assailants. DSP (Crime) Jitendra Singh, who is investigating the case, said she was stabbed repeatedly all over the body nearly a dozen times which caused fatal.

Singh said that the body has been sent for autopsy. The motive behind the murder is not yet known, investigations are however on, he said. He, however, not ruled out an insider’s hand in the murder as security around campus is very tight.

Amrita Pancholi belonged to Udaipur, Rajasthan. She had been working as an associate professor in Human Resources Management for over a year. She was also working as a consultant on behalf of the IIM-I for at least three major Corporate Houses.