Kelavati Devi, Bhanota village

Kelavati Devi, a resident of Bhanota village is the star student of the TARA Akshar+ programme. She says: "Girls in our time were not sent to school and were married off at a very early age". That’s why, even though eager to study, Kelavati never got the chance to go to school. When the TARA Akshar+ programme came to her village Kelavati Devi, now 77 years old, joined it without a moment of hesitation and passing the exam in November 2012 she proved that there is no age limit to acquiring knowledge. Now literate, Kelavati Devi has a new identity in her village and her example inspires other women to learn reading and writing.

Harbati Gujar, Sunpura village

Harbati Gujar was a pradhan of the gram panchayat of Sunpura village from 2005 to 2010. 50 year old Harbati was illiterate at that time. She feels that had she been literate, she would have performed her official duties in a better way. When she heard about the TARA Akshar+ programme, Harbati immediately enrolled herself for the course. Dedicated and hard working she studied whenever she found time and passed the examination. Able now to read and write she has become a confident person . She encourages other women to emulate her example.

Nisha, Sakipur village

Nisha is a 15 year old girl of Sakipur village. Her left leg has been crippled by polio when she was a young child but in spite of that she does all the household work efficiently. Her parents did not send her to school and she always felt sad watching other girls going to school with books and copies. When TARA AKSHAR+ programme came to her village she enrolled herself and proved to be an eager learner. Today she is able and willing to do some other work along with her household duties. Full of confidence and eager to explore the world outside her village Nisha is an inspiration to other girls.

Another 15 year old polio affected girl Rakhi lives in the same Sakipur village. Having paralysed her right leg she kept to herself, staying at home most of the time and doing house work. But the desire to study was always there in her heart so when TARA Akshar+ came to her village in 2012 she joined classes and passed the exam. She gained self- confidence and with it came a number of new friends so much so that she is now a popular member of the youngsters’ community in Sakipur. q

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