Advisor for Centre for Innovations in Public Systems (CIPS) and professor NCERT, Dr. N. Upender Reddy today reached Ganderbal on 3 days visit for spot inspection of Mashal-e-Gaash initiative launched by the district administration Ganderbal.
The Mashal-e-Gaash Literacy Campaign was recently launched by the district administration with the purpose to enlighten general masses who are illiterate about the importance of “being literate”.
In this regard the District Administration Ganderbal today organized an impressive function in the lawns of Mini Secretariat Ganderbal which was attended by Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shyambir, ADDC Ganderbal, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani, CPO, CEO and other district officers. The programme was also attended by the PRI members and school children.
The Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shyambir highlighted the initiatives taken during the Mashaal-e-Gaash Campaign like conducting a basic survey of identifying the illiterates, identification of volunteers, capacity building of these volunteers and development of literacy material.
He said that the Mashal-e-Gaash has been a very successful program in the district and due to this program, the literacy rate has been increased from 59% to 89 .97%. Speaking on the occasion, the Advisor for CIPS appreciated the district administration for this campaign.
He said that literacy of adults is the most important aspect because if parents are educated they can enhance the foundation of reading and writing capabilities in children. He said that there is so much gender inequity coming from generations and somewhere we have to actually address it with a rational mind, with a free mind and free mind only develops through education.
Earlier, the welcome address was given by Chief Education Officer Ganderbal who highlighted the success achieved under the campaign. He also highlighted the challenges faced during the campaign. He said that the people were initially reluctant to come forward to enroll in the program due to fear of mockery by the society.
There was lack of motivation and learning difficulties as the age factor plays a crucial role in using an individual's learning and cognitive abilities. To overcome such challenges, complete one-to-one mapping and monitoring structure was done involving religious institutions and PRIs, besides awareness was created regarding the importance of being educated among the masses.
On the occasion, a scintillating cultural program was presented by the students and several teachers and volunteers who worked tirelessly during the Mashal-e-Gaash Literacy Campaign were also felicitated.