Khordha, Oct 28: In a remarkable initiative under the 'Ullas' program, more than 16,000 illiterate individuals in Khordha district have embraced the opportunity to learn basic education, including literacy and numeracy skills. This program, run by the Ministry of Education and the Department of Mass Education under the central government's 'New India Literacy Program,' aims to empower people above the age of 15 who have never had access to formal education.
Despite being late in life to pursue education, many individuals who were once illiterate are now actively participating in this initiative. Several adults, including men, women, and even elderly participants, have shown strong enthusiasm to overcome their illiteracy. Some, despite having completed their formal rites of passage and crossed middle age, have demonstrated keen interest in learning how to read and write. They express heartfelt gratitude to their teachers, appreciating the chance to acquire education, often in the company of children and grandchildren.
From September 1 to 8, 'Ullas' organized a week-long campaign under the banner of "International Literacy Week." During this week, various activities, including home visits by teachers, essay writing campaigns, awareness marches, and community outreach programs, were carried out to engage people from all sections of society and inspire them to join the literacy movement.
A significant effort was made in Khordha, with 3,524 illiterate individuals from Bhubaneswar, 3,623 from Chilika, and 2,150 from Bolangir participating in the 'Ullas' program. The primary goal was to include illiterate individuals from all age groups, promoting their integration into society's main educational streams. For the first time, such a large-scale initiative has brought so many adults into the educational fold.
The district's education officials, led by District Education Officer Sonamika Ray, along with Additional District Education Officer Dr. Prajna Paramita Jena, have played a key role in ensuring the success of this program. The active participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions, National Service Schemes, Nehru Yuva Kendra, and other local organizations has also contributed to the widespread success of the campaign.
The results of the literacy exams, conducted during the campaign, will be reviewed in the coming days and forwarded to the district office.
In the next 15 days, results will be shared at the state and national levels, marking another significant step in Odisha's journey towards increasing literacy and empowering its adult population.
