Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Dec 20: ‘Aksharotsav-2007’ an annual convention of the Dakshina Kannada District Neo-literates' Samiti (DKDNLS) was organized by the Apna Desh Model Village Development Campaign (ADMVD) in taluk panchayat's office premises here on Wednesday December 19.  

It was an opportunity for neo-literates to rejoice and several of them from all over the district participated in the programme. The theme of the programme was ‘Literate village- clean village’ was inaugurated by educationist Kamalakara Halambi.  

Speaking on the occasion, president of the Sanoor Gram Panchayat Gulabi said that she had no courage to stand up before a gathering, but now thanks to the literacy movement today she was able to address gatherings and even organize people and talk to authorities about the problems faced by people in the panchayat.  

According to G Narayan from Sullia whose earlier way of earning his livlihood was by donning the 'koraga vesha' , however, now he is a full time literacy volunteer. he wears the 'saksharatha vesha' and travels all over the district, inspiring many non-literate people to learn the basics.   

Speaker Halambi informed that learning provides a person the power to think. It is a tool to move forward in the society, he added. He urged the neo-literates not to stop learning as they learn to read and write, but continue it.  

According to him learning gives people confidence to organize themselves resulting in the formation of Self Help Groups and he appreciated the concept of SHGs.  

Gurmeet Tej, probationary IAS officer on the occasion released the Apna Desh newsletter. Many neo-literates displayed their skills and confidence. They volunteered to speak and shared their success stories and presented their talents as part of the programme.   

Zilla Panchayat CEO A M Kunjappa, deputy secretary Shivshankar, ZP former vice president Dharanendra Kumar, Taluk Panchayat EO Kantaraj, Kannada Sahitya Parishat former president Harikrishna Punaroor, Apna Desh convenor Sheena Shetty and others were present.