Award from the President of India (Bakaram Jagir)

Bakaram Jagir village won the Saakshar Bharat Award: 

Eventually, the village I was driving for 100% literacy, Bakaram Jagir, won the much coveted Saakshar Bharat award.  The award would be handed to the Sarpanch of the village by none other than the President of India, today.

Team effort and the Credit:

This is a result of team effort. The credit goes to all the stake holders, right from Sarpanch, Saakshar Bharat village coordinators Meenakshi and Jyoti, all the volunteers, youth of the village to senior officials of Saakshar Bharat. The credit could also be shared by organizations like ALEAP, Vijayam foundation, Rotary Club, Sree Society etc. who have been supporting the village in the form of donations, health camps etc. One of the pillars of strength for the village is Dr.K.V.Ramanachari, retd IAS, Advisor to Chief Minister, who adopted the village and helped the village develop in many ways.

Last minute hurdles:

On August 19 when the official observer visited the village for Inspection, he advised me to document all the facts in the form of PPT and send it to him. The next day my 6 year old son, who was already suffering with fever, had the temperature soaring to 104 F. We immediately rushed him to doctor who advised us to wait for one more day. The day following it was Sunday and he appeared to be normal. That day being the day of exam for the illiterates in the village I took a chance and visited the village.  Every two hours my wife was checking his temp and sending me messages. In the evening the temp again rose to 104.5 F and we all panicked. My wife and my father rushed him to an Hospital nearby and I started from village. 

When I reached the Hospital I found him in the emergency ward lying on the bed with pieces of wet cloth on his forehead, hands, legs, stomach, below the back and so on. Sponge bath was being given to him. Seeing me he started crying loudly :(

We waited for some time for the blood reports. It turned out to be Dengue fever and the Doctors advised for immediate admission. On hearing the word "Dengue" we dropped our plans of taking him to bigger Hospital and admitted here itself. 

The next day, Monday, Mr.Srinivas Babu of Saakshar Bharat and Jaihind, shart film maker who was working on a short film for the village, visited the Hospital to see my son. They were also worried, like me, about the ppt to be sent to the Observer. I had assured them that I would somehow start working on it. 

Luckily, on Tuesday morning, when blood test was carried out the Platelet count increased drastically to 1.7 lac which was well within the normal range. I  got him discharged by afternoon and dashed to village again. Gathered some additional info from the Sarpanch and the Sakshar Bharat personnel. Also, collected the newspaper reports related to the village. Sat through the entire night and prepared the ppt. Sent the ppt the next day. The observer requested for the snaps of his visit which I had taken and sent them too. 

The observer:

The observer appeared to be a very professional man. He just focused on the points which are required by him. He did not get carried away by the treatment given to him when he visited the village nor was he impressed with the great arrangements. He was of the opinion that if the village has the merit it would get the award.

The tension:

We were waiting with fingers crossed. But some people including Sarpanch were tensed. They were checking with me frequently. The Observer was a very professional straight forward man. He does not tell us anything. It was not appropriate to ask him also and hence just waited.
Eventually, Mr.Srinivas Babu of Saakshar Bharat called all of us and broke the news that we won it.
Dr.K.V.Ramanachari's appreciating words:

The Sarpanch and Saakshar Bharat team visited Dr.K.V.Ramanachari to share the news After congratulating all he immediately called me up, in their presence, and spoke to me for a few minutes appreciating my work. It was very nice of him to personally call me up and shower a few appreciating words. 
Request for attending the Award ceremony:
Last Saturday while I was traveling to Srisailam along with my family I received a call from the Deputy Director of Adult Education (Saakshar Bharat). He was very earnestly requesting me to accompany him and Sarpanch to Delhi for attending the Award function. He even mentioned that the District Collector also advised him to take me along to Delhi. The Sarpanch, earlier, extended the invitation to travel and attend the ceremony along with him. Though I could not travel, I was really overwhelmed and humbled by their gestures!