Thank you Dr.K.V.Ramanachari, IAS, Advisor to Chief Minister

The introduction of Lucky Draws for regular illiterate attendees and distributing the prizes is likely to increase the turning up of more illiterates for learning by a good number. I was told during the following week, after the distribution of first set of gifts, the count of illiterates attending the sessions went up to 182, increase by very big number. But the bigger challenge of 100% attendance still remains, there is very little time left.

Need of the hour was to further pursue aggressively. Need to unite the entire village and make all of them to work for this cause. A few strategies like the following needed immediate implementation. These will motivate the non cooperative illiterates, encourage the educated youth to participate in the literacy program, will strengthen the resolve of all to make the program successful, will move the entire village etc.

1. Place big flexs and banners with the real snaps of villagers, so that others should feel left out and start attending the sessions

2. Wall Writings - Writing on the walls Telugu alphabets with pictures, so that people see them daily and learn/remember

3. Use a projector and show interesting stories, alphabets and pictures, motivating documentaries, at least on Sundays when I visit and interact with villagers at 7.30 pm

4. Take top officials or VIPs and so that they could add to their levels of motivation of villagers

5. Give weekly gifts (small gifts like glass, plate etc) to all the regular attendees on weekly basis rather than giving gifts based on weekly draws, which I a currently implementing.

6. Make a short film using the villagers only on the disadvantages of illiteracy etc and show them on regular basis.

7. Maintain kiosks (if possible giant screens)at major centers which continuously run videos related to Telugu basics etc.

But with the village leadership failing to provide even slates for the illiterates, help was needed desperately. As there is a saying, cometh the time, cometh the man, Dr.K.V.Ramanachari, IAS, Advisor to Chief Minister, came to my rescue. He officially adopted the village some time back. I sent a mail to him on Monday, 20 June, and he responded in half an hours time. He instructed the village Sarpanch to come and pick up 100 slates the very next day. He introduced me to a printer and asked me to get the banners done. Also approved for writings on the walls, that too with pictures. Promised to provide projector on every Sunday. Above all he was ready to buy gifts for all the illiterates who attend the sessions for the entire week, on weekly basis. When I insisted on more slates, on Friday, 24 June, he again bought 100 more and handed them over to me. He also promised to help for making a short film. His swift response and action provided the much needed support and relief for me. I really appreciate his swift response and action.

Lucky Draws - 19 May 2016 (Sunday)

As Tata Strive team visited along with Rotary club central team for a workshop on jobs for youth, and Volunteers were participating in the event, we had decided to meet later in the day. Rotary club president introduced me to the Tata Strive and Surabhi foundation personnel and asked me to address the youth and also to share about the work I was doing here. I was happy to see the volunteers responding to my interaction. When I asked them "Who are you?" all the volunteers shouted "Leaders!"

I took the opportunity to interact with the boys there. When I asked them why they were not part of the literacy project which was a unique opportunity for the village to put itself on the national map, the boys collectively responded saying they were not requested or approached. I then told them that was the difference between the girls and the boys. Girls feel that they are the leaders and are leading from the front and if the boys also felt like leaders they should have proactively participated in the literacy program. They told me that they would also join the project and start helping the volunteers. I gave them a task of mobilizing all the illiterates near Panchayat office at 6.30 in the evening where Lucky draws were being taken.

The Sakshar Bharat village coordinator Meenakshi again complained about the Slates, TV Channels etc. That meant neither the Sarpanch or the Ward member, who promised to arrange in no time, did anything. I was happy that at least the photographs were taken, of course after chasing for two weeks. But, how about banners?

In the evening several of the illiterates assembled at the Sakshar Bharat office for the lucky draws, on their own and not because of the boys. This was an opportunity for me to talk to the illiterates for the first time. There were around 70 to 80 people. I was told many people came and went away as there was not enough place in the office which was a small hall. I promised them that I will continue this activity of Lucky draws every week, till August. Requested them to talk to other illiterates who are not cooperating and convince them. Discussed with them the time to meet every Sunday and they agreed to meet at 7.30 pm. They even promised that they would start from their residence at 7.10 pm itself.

Volunteers prepared chits with the names of only those illiterates who have attended learning sessions on all the 6 days of the week, as was the plan. I arranged for 23 steel bowls as prizes. Chits were picked up and the prizes were distributed by Sarpanch, village mandal level coordinator and the volunteer themselves. Funny part of this lucky draw was that a woman illiterate got the prize who never attended even one session. :)

When I asked the Sarpanch about TV Channels stoppage, as usual he called somebody and instructed again to stop the cable telecast. Again when asked about slates, he called somebody and as usual the person on the other side promised to come and donate 100 slates the next day. I told Sarpanch that that person is never going to come. I decided that neither the Sarpanch nor the Ward members are going to do anything for slates, Banners etc. I need to do something myself! ,

Planning new strategies - 12 May 2016 (Sunday)

Apparently on this Sunday many of the VTs came on time but I arrived half an hour late :(

Earlier, I had requested Sarpanch to call all the ward members so that I can talk to them about their support. Nobody turned up.

I had some motivation oriented discussion with volunteers. I played Arunima Sinha's speech for some time till my Airtel broadband supported. This was to instill in them that it only needs to Think Big to make it big. I also discussed for some time leadership traits which each one of them were exhibiting during this project execution and making them believe that they are leaders. They were in reality leading from the front.

When it came to the discussion of issues, the older issues still remained. Books, Slates, Photographs, TV Channels, non-cooperation of illiterates etc. Nothing moved. Called Sarpanch over phone and he again promised to do the needful.

Since none of the ward members came in the morning, I along with the volunteers went to each of the ward members house and called them out. We sat in Gram Panchayat office and I gave them a clear picture about the progress, which was very minimal. Told them straight that many illiterates are still not cooperating and it is their responsibility to ensure that they bring them in line. Tried to make them accountable for their respective wards.

When I took up the issue of slates, banners etc. and told them that we need to talk to donors for arranging funds, some ward member was unhappy saying that for everything we cannot ask others. The Sarpanch has to use funds from Gram Panchayat etc. He immediately called somebody over phone and told me that slates are arranged. He also took the responsibility of banners etc. I felt relieved as I was not happy that these small things which were not being arranged and one ward member is ready to arrange things in no time.

As a third strategy, I announced to all that we will have a lucky draw on next Sunday for all those people who attend learning classes for all the days of the week. I told the VTs to inform each and every learner about this lucky draw. Also, told them we will make it a practice that every Sunday there would be some lucky draws and prizes. This strategy had dual purpose. It is not only to motivate people to attend all sessions but also to make people come for the lucky draw. We could use this opportunity to talk to the illiterates and motivate them further. Also, some generic learning session could be had using a projector when they all assemble for lucky draw and prizes.

The challenges - 5 May 2016 (Sunday)

It was almost my second visit. As usual Volunteers arrived one by one much later than the planned time of 11 am. We almost started our session around 1 pm. Had to talk to them about the importance of discipline and punctuality in great length. And also about Sankalp (resolution). When I gave the example of Arunima Sinha for her determination and courage it gave an impression that Volunteers really felt inspired.

The challenges discussed for this visit included:

1. Many VTs did not have Books

2. Learners were finding it difficult to write on Book and were requesting for Slates

3. TV is a big hindrance

4. Many illiterates are not cooperating at all etc.

Spoke to Mr.Srinivas Babu for books which he promised to arrange in the next few days. For slates, Sarpanch told me that some gentleman was about to donate a few slates. And regarding TV, Sarpanch spoke to the cable operator to stop telecasting any of the channels during 7.30 to 8.30 slot daily evening.

For the cooperation of illiterates, as a first strategy, I planned to design flexs and banners with the real photographs of the illiterates while learning etc. With banners everywhere the hope was that the illiterates who are not willing to learn might feel left out and start learning. Sarpanch promised to call the photographer and have some snaps taken.

Later updated the excel with all the volunteer vs illiterates with the help of Meenakshi. That day I had met the other VC, Jyoti, who was supposed to work along with Meenakshi. I tried to convince her resume her work and she agreed to cooperate.

On both the occasions, that is last Sunday and this Sunday, I had to stay till evening but without food as there was no hotel in the village. Decided to carry my own lunch box for my next visits. :)

Initiating the Project Work - 100% Literacy at a Village

Initially for driving the project 100% literacy in Bakaram Jagir village, I essentially needed to understand the following:

1. Definition of Literacy 2. Plans for implementation 3. Resources 4. Current status of execution as it has been over three weeks since the project started 5. Challenges.

For gathering all the info I drove straight to the office of Adult Education department (Sakshar Bharat) at lakdikapul (Ranga Reddy district collectorate office) and met Mr.Srinivas Babu, Division Supervisor. I collected the details of illiterates in the form of hard copy and requested him to put the data in an excel format, which he initiated. From him I learnt that:

• There were two village level coordinators (VC) who were supposed to oversee the literacy program for adults.

• There would be a Mandal level coordinator who would help these village coordinators

• The illiterates will have to be taught some prescribed syllabus (three books, all in Telugu) prepared by an entity called Sate Resource Center (SRC)

• These Illiterates will have to attend a test conducted by “National Institute of Open Schooling” either in March or August.

• There were no resources like additional human resources, financial, tools like computers etc.

• Current status was that a few villagers were identified as Volunteer Teachers (VT) who were trying to teach the illiterates and their motivation level was too low.

On my first visit to the village, in the evening of Saturday 28 May, I requested the Sarpanch to call the Sakshar Bharat village coordinator (VC) and also the volunteer teachers (VT) at one place. A few volunteer teachers (VT) turned up. A quick chat with them revealed the following challenges, in addition to generic problems like rains, power cuts etc.

 No specific robust plan was in place

 Only one VC was working as the other VC is not cooperating

 No motivation for volunteering teachers (VT)

 Disinterested illiterates

 Illiterates are elderly people

 No time for illiterates

 No method in place for tracking the progress

 Addition to TV serials

 Resistance for change etc.

After good interaction with them I got an impression that if the village was to be made 100% literate, it was only possible with village volunteers. These volunteers were all girls who were either 10th, 12th, degree passed or discontinued or married women with children. Volunteers from outside would have little influence on the progress. Hence I thought I needed to focus on these available volunteers first and then start working on other strategies.

I noted that none of them were computer literates. Many of them hardly knew the parts of the computers. I proposed to them that I would teach them computer basics so that they themselves can record the progress of their literacy efforts. They seemed excited and readily agreed. The thought of working on computer appeared to be a motivating factor. Sarpanch also encouraged me by asking to start right then and there. I latched on this opportunity and trained the available 10 volunteers about Computers and also made them key in their own names in MS excel. I could see happiness in their faces. They promised to bring other volunteers also for the next session of learning.

The next thing I did was to identify a place where I can meet all the volunteers on regular basis. The Sarpanch and the High School headmaster were kind enough to provide a place in school lab which has good facilities like Projector, Computer, Speakers etc.

The next day, 29 May, I again visited the village at around 11 am and this time more volunteers, around 20, came to attend along with Meenakshi, Sakshar Bharat village coordinator (VC), who oversees this project at village level. As expected, they all arrived at their own leisure time. I had a good pep talk for motivating these volunteers. We had a good chat on discipline, goals, focus, leadership etc. and they all appeared to take great interest. I initiated computer training and showed them computer parts and explained other basics.

When I started discussing about the approach for the literacy project, I found that there were 25 volunteers and the number of illiterates were 268. That is a minimum of 10 illiterates need to be assigned to each volunteer. Upon discussion all felt that a volunteer cannot handle more than 5 or 6 illiterates because of several challenges which include the non-cooperation of illiterates. Hence we took collective decision to increase the volunteer number to 50. That is picking 25 more from village. Meenakshi, took up the responsibility.

I needed data in the system so that we can record and track the progress of each illiterate. We started assigning illiterates to volunteers and recorded the same in an excel sheet. As time was not sufficient we could not complete the full recording.

The enthused volunteers promised to work with full vigor and try to use innovative methods to convince the illiterates to start learning. With the resolve to arrive on time for our next Sunday meeting we ended our initial interaction.

Challenge Accepted!

When I found out that no village in Telugu speaking states is 100% literate yet, I thought Bakaram Jagir village is a very good opportunity to initiate the process of literacy mission as they embarked upon 100% literacy project in 100 days. This opportunity also will be lost if it is not properly driven, lead and managed. I was pretty sure that the project was not making any progress even after a few weeks of its initiation.

I thought as nobody is coming forward to steer this project, I should take the responsibility of driving this, even though it is a herculean task, in spite of having my own personal and professional challenges, be it my odd office timings of 6.30 pm to 3.30 am, abrupt official travel plans, work pressures, additional responsibility of new arrival in my family, some disturbances at home etc.

Anyways, decided to spend at least one day in a week in the village to understand the mission, the situations and challenges and accordingly prepare action plans, provide solutions and directions etc.

Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamaare dil mein hai, Dekhna hai zor kitna baazu-e-qaatil mein hai!!!

100% Literacy of the village in 100 days - on what basis?

I was wondering, on what basis the authorities have decided to launch this scheme in the village Bakaram Jagir.

1. Is it that the villagers are really motivated and charged to make their village a literate village?

2. Have the villagers collectively told the Sarpanch and officials that they can do it in 100 days?

3. Are there real visionary leaders in the village, with great capabilities of leading the campaign, which motivated the officials to take such a decision?

4. Did the illiterates have so much free time that they can dedicate their entire time for learning?

5. Does the village have requisite infrastructure to handle this project?

6. Did the officials have any robust plans to make this program successful?

7. Was there an intent to get professionals from outside to lead the program or train the villagers?

It appears that none of the above are true. Then one is made to believe that the program was launched out of over enthusiasm of all the people concerned. If the program fails who is going to take the responsibility? Everybody will blame everybody. But, who cares!

Village girls chasing their dreams!!

On May 8 when 100% literacy in 100 days mission was launched in the village "Bakaram Jagir" there were several big people at the ceremony. Its been over one and half month none of them are in sight. So literally the mission was left to a bunch of few girls from the village who volunteered to teach the illiterates. Many of them have not even passed 10th grade. A few have either completed 12th or pursuing graduation. Some of them are house wives and have children too. Many of the girls also work elsewhere. Each volunteer planned to teach at least 5 illiterates.

These poor volunteer girls are not trained and on top of it there are no teaching facilities. To add to their woes the illiterates are least interested in learning and at the same time they are twice the age of the teaching volunteers. The teaching time chosen by them is 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm, as many of the illiterates work during day time, and the classroom is right under the street lights. If teaching is one challenge, then dragging the illiterates from their houses to the center of teaching is a bigger challenge. In addition to that the teaching time of 7.30 to 8.30 is a peak time for Telugu TV serials and all the villagers are addicted to it, and again immediately after the program is toddy time for many. If some illiterates do not cooperate with the volunteers and some taunt them, many illiterates chase these volunteers away.

In spite of all these hardships these young volunteers are still determined to impart training to all the illiterates and make their village the first village to achieve 100% literacy in the state of Telangana. Lets hope that these village girls really succeed in their goal and create a model for others to emulate. Good Luck girls!!!

100% Literacy in 100 days - Bakaram Jagir village

On May 8, 2016 I happened to visit a village Bakaram Jagir, unknowingly, along with a friend Kapil Dev, President, Rotary Club Central, on the day of launching a project "100% literacy in 100 days" by Sakshar Bharat. I was introduced as an author of a book and was also called on stage to address the villagers. To my surprise I found myself wanting for Telugu words while talking on stage. The people I was addressing were hardcore Telugu speaking with little English knowledge. I was fumbling to recollect Telugu words for Entertainment, options, opportunities etc. Felt embarrassed. Somehow spoke Telugu on stage. :)

First Blog!!!

Hi there, Just started blogging... err restarted blogging. Several years back blogged for a while and stopped. Now I wish to blog regularly and hope I would really continue for long this time. With this blog would like to share some interesting moments, events, situations of my life and other contacts too. Happy Blogging to myself!!