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| CENTRES |
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| TRAIN-THE-TRAINER |
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Tara Akshar Graduates from Bihar who are disabled
Smt. Meera Devi
Kasba, Maker,Sharan, Bihar.
Meera Devi was affected by polio when she was a child and cannot walk properly. She has 2 daughters and 1 son. Her husband Munnu Chaudhary works as a laborer. They live below the poverty line. Meera sends her children to a local institute where free education is provided for the children.
One day she heard about Tara Akshar which had started in her village, and that it teaches reading and writing in just 30 days. She was keen to attend, but she was scared to show how keen, fearing that people would laugh at her because she was an illiterate adult trying to read. So instead she went to her friend's house, where she made an effort to study on her own. .
One day, the Tara Akshar Instructor happened to pass by the house and saw Meera Devi engrossed in study, and trying to learn from her friend who herself was not very expert. He told Meera Devi that as she was so keen on studying, he was inviting her to join the Tara Akshar centre. Initially she refused, but later agreed - subject to the permission from her husband. She came to the centre the next day and started to study. She learnt well and passed the exam in June this year. Now she studies at her own home with her children.
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Master Trainer:Sh Santosh Sharma
Quality Controller:
Sh Sanjay Kumar Singh
Instructor:
Ms Alka Pandey
CSO:
Sh Satinder Prasad
Organization:
Nav Jagriti, Bihar |
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Smt Munni Devi
Mohan Nagar, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
Smt Munni Devi finds difficulty in walking and doing housework because of her polio. Because of this, people in her home used to taunt her that she was good-for-nothing. People used to say that she will not get a good match in marriage because she is an illiterate as well as a polio victim. But Munni Devi is a brave lady and listened to everyone's taunts with a smile
One day she found out about Tara Akshar starting in her village. She was very keen to study. She came to the centre with her friend, Rupa Devi, and requested the Instructor that they both be taught. She was fast in learning and always arrived at the centre before everyone else. She passed her exam in June of this year. Now she is able to study on her own at home.
Shortly after this, she got married to an educated handicapped person, and she is now enjoying a happy married life.
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Master Trainer:Sh Santosh Sharma
Quality Controller:
Sh Sanjay Kumar Singh
Instructor:
Ms Alka Pandey
CSO:
Sh Satinder Prasad
Organization:
Nav Jagriti, Bihar |
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Ms Nazni Khatun
Kuldeeh, Kauakol, Nawada, Bihar.
Ms Nazni Khatun is 16 years old. She was affected by polio in her childhood and she cannot walk. Her father, Mohammed Iqbal Ansari, is a small farmer, and earns Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 per month ($20 to $30). All her family are illiterate, so Nazni is the first person ever to be able to read and write in her family.
Nazni was the best student in her class, and graduated in May 2007. Her self-confidence has increased enormously, and she is now keen to do further studies.
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Master Trainer:Shri Brijesh Kumar
Quality Controller:
Shri Upendra Kumar
Instructor:
Shri Bhanu Pratap Singh
CSO:
Shri Ram Chandra Choudhary
Organization:
GNM, Bihar |
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Ms Phool Kumari
Bhola Bigha, Hisua,Nawada,Bihar.
Ms Phool Kumari is 18 years old. She was affected by polio when she was one year old, since when she can not walk properly. Her father works as a labourer, and earns a monthly income between Rs 1000 and Rs 1500. ($20 to $30) Her whole family are illiterate.
She started her 30 day Tara Akshar course in April 2007 and graduated in May by passing her exam with ease. Now that she can read and write, her confidence level has increased tremendously, and she has now joined a school where she can do further studies.
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Master Trainer:Shri Brijesh Kumar
Quality Controller:
Shri Jay Kumar
Instructor:
Shri Shabir Alam
CSO:
Shri Arvind Singh.
Organization:
Nidan, Bihar. |
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Smt. Haseena Begum
Nakati Paterva, West Champaran, Bihar.
This lady has had polio since childhood which prevents her from moving about easily. She has been married for 20 years. Despite her handicap, she has always managed to do all the housework, but she is restricted in her travel. She heard about the Tara Akshar literacy program, but saw no way of attending because she could not walk to the Tara Akshar centre.
The Tara Akshar instructor, Sh. Rupak Kumar, heard about her problem and came to visit her. Because she was so keen, he volunteered to come to her house every day and teach her. She was a fast learner and passed the Tara Akshar written comprehension exam after 30 days study. She is now doing further study at home.
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Master Trainer:Sh Santosh Sharma
Quality Controller:
Sh Janeshwer Singh
Instructor:
Sh Rupak Kumar
CSO:
Sister Mary Eilise
Organization:
FSS Bihar |
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Miss Komal Kumari
Darbepatti, Banka, Bihar.
Komal is 14 years old. She has been unable to walk properly since the age of 3 due to polio. Her father is a labourer with 6 daughters and 1 son. The whole family is illiterate and they live below the poverty line. Daughters in rural India are considered a major economic handicap because they are unlikely to be wage earners, they cost money to clothe and feed, and they need to be married off at the earliest opportunity. The cost of 1 wedding is an enormous burden. The cost of 6 weddings is ...
Because Komal and her father were very keen for Komal to become literate, the Tara Akshar centre itself was shifted so as to be nearer to Komal's home. Komal studied diligently and passed her graduation exam after 30 days. Her instructor, Manju Roy, was asked what benefits Komal could now look forward to because she was literate. The answer was:
She now has job prospects;
Her family respects her more;
She is more likely to get a husband;
Her sisters are now going to do Tara Akshar.
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Master Trainer:Sh Pankaj Pandey
Quality Controller:
Sh Dilip Kumar Singh
Instructor:
Ms Manju Roy
CSO:
Sh Rajan Kumar
Organization:
Mukti Niketan, Banka, Bihar |
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Tara Akshar Graduates from Jharkhand who are disabled
Smt. Momita Devi
Bada Chandana, Dhumka, Jharkhand
This lady has had polio since childhood so she cannot walk properly. Her father is a labourer. He has 7 children. He has difficulty making ends meet, and the family lives well below the poverty line. Momita married her husband, who is also handicapped. She joined her local Self-Help Group, but was concerned that she couldn't participate properly because she was illiterate - she never knew what was in the register or how much money was credited to her account. She felt ashamed when other Self-Help group members signed their names, but all she could do was a thumbprint.
So when the Tara Akshar literacy program started in her village, she jumped at the chance to attend. Despite her handicap and despite being 7 months pregnant, she managed to attend the course every day for 30 days. She passed her written comprehension exam with flying colours. She is now a role model for other women in her village.
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Master Trainer:Sh Sachin Sinha
Quality Controller:
Sh Sujit Kumar Jha
Instructor:
Sh Suresh Kamath
CSO:
Sh Madhur Kumar Das
Organization:
Lok Prerna, Devghar, Jharkhand |
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Tara Akshar Graduates from Uttar Pradesh who are disabled
Smt Chhutkanni Devi
Marsanda,Sitapur,UP.
Chhutkanni Devi can not stand straight nor walk properly because of a back problem which she developed in childhood. Nevertheless, she does all the cooking, cleaning and in the house. She has eight children. Her husband, Sh Shivram, works as a labourer, and they are living below the poverty line.
Chhutkani Devi is a member of her local Self-Help Group, but she was unable to read and sign any documents. A student at the Tara Akshar centre in her village told Sh Avanish Pand, the instructor, about Chhutkani Devi’s desire to learn reading and writing. She wanted to study, but her family members and neighbours used to make fun of her. They said that if she could not even walk straight, how was she going to study? In spite of this, Chhutkani Devi was determined to study.
On 13 Sep 2007, Chhutkanni Devi joined the Tara Akshar centre. Her literacy exam was conducted on 13 Oct 2007 and she passed. Chhutkanni Devi can now read and write Hindi. Her confidence level has increased tremendously and she is very happy with her new image as literate women and wants to read further.
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Master Trainer:Smt Shahnaz Begum
Quality Controller:
Smt Preeti Mishra
Instructor:
Sh Avanish Pande
CSO:
Sh Akhilesh Tiwari
Organization:
Sarthi Development Foundation, Lucknow |
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Ms Sagini Dulaiya
Jalandhar, Lalitpur,UP.
Ms Sagini Dulaiya has both her legs affected by polio and has not been able to walk since the age of 3. She and her labourer husband have 3 sons. All her family are illiterate and live below the poverty line. Sagini wanted to attend the Tara Akshar literacy program in her village, but couldn't walk there. So they moved the centre near her home. This enabled her to come to the centre on piggyback on another student. She learnt to read and write and passed her exam in October 2007. This has made her husband very happy - he now wants to make sure that all their children are literate.
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Master Trainer:Sh Indal Prasad.
Quality Controller:
Sh Brajesh Kumar Rajpoot
Instructor:
Ms Mumtaz
CSO:
Sh Basudev
Organization:
Bundelkhand Sewa Santhan Madawara, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh |
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Tara Akshar Graduates from Madhya Pradesh who are disabled
Mrs Jaina Bai
Gunwant Nagar Athner Betul MP
Mrs Jaina Bai Uike, 35 years old, lives in the village of Gunwant Nagar, in Athner, Betul, Madhya Pradesh. She is married with two sons and three daughters. Her husband Mishri Lal works as a labourer. They are living below the poverty line.
Jaina was an illiterate, and in August 2007, she eagerly signed up for the Tara Akshar literacy course. Her husband was very supportive.
Jaina Bai passed her reading and writing exam on 24 September 2007. Her confidence level had increased tremendously. She was very happy that she was now literate, and she was fully resolved to make her children literate.
After graduation, Jaina got elected as the Sarpanch for her village. She is performing her duties as a Sarpanch very effectively and efficiently. She is very thankful to Tara Akshar for the difference it made in her life.
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Master Trainer:Smt Neeraj Chaudhary
Quality Controller: Ms Rubeena Kaji
Instructor: Ms. Maya Aarse
CSO: Sh Shishir Kumar
Organization: Naman Sewa Samiti,Athner,Betul,Madhya Pradesh
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Below is a news story on her becoming the Sarpanch. |
Here is a copy of the thank-you letter that SHE wrote to the Tara Akshar staff informing us that she had become the Sarpanch. (Remember, she had been completely illiterate a few weeks earlier.) |
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Smt Krishna Bai
Jaitgarh,Raisen,Madhya Pradesh.
Krishna Bai is 32 years old. She has two sons and one daughter who are at school. When she was 9 years old, she developed a problem in her right leg. So her parents called a masseuse to try to help her. The massage was so badly done that Krishna's spine was fractured, and since then she cannot walk properly. Her husband is a labourer.
When Tara Akshar opened a centre in her village in July 2007, Krishna Bai wanted to enroll. She joined in August and graduated in September. The most noticeable change in her is her confidence level. Her husband and children are very happy with how she has turned out!
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Master Trainer:Amar Singh Thakur
Quality Controller:
Ms Manju Pandey
Instructor:
Shri Vijay Saxena
CSO:
Shri Akhilesh Singh Yadav
Organization:
BYPASS Sansthan, Bamhori, Raisen, MP |
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Smt Jamna Bai
Ramgarh,Raisen,Madhya Pradesh.
Smt Jamna Bai is 36 years old. She has been married for 20 years. Her right leg was affected by polio when she was 7 years old. Since then, she can not walk properly. In spite of this, she manages all the housework. She has two sons and one daughter. Her husband Pratap Singh works as a labourer, and they live below the poverty line.
Jamna Bai was so keen to enroll in Tara Akshar when it started in her area that her husband persuaded us to move our centre nearer to her house to enable her to attend. During the course, she was way ahead of other students and she graduated in September 2007. Her confidence level has increased tremendously, and her new goal is to make her children literate.
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Master Trainer:Shri Amar Singh Thakur
Quality Controller:
Ms Manju Pandey
Instructor:
Sh Khilan Singh
CSO:
Sh Akhilesh Yadav
Organization:
BYPASS Sansthan, Bamhori, Raisen, MP |
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Smt Chironji Bai
Mendhaki Silwani, Raisen,Madhya Pradesh.
Smt Chironji Bai is 48 years old. She is married with four sons and one daughter. Chironji Bai lost her right eye at the age of 6 due to chicken pox. Her husband died young, leaving her with 5 children to bring up, and the eldest child was only 10 years old. She is currently living with a man who wants to stay with her, but does not want to marry her. [Editors note: In an Indian village, this will cause much stigma.]
When the Tara Akshar centre started in her village this summer, she had no hesitation in enrolling. She graduated in September 2007. Chironji Bai can now read and write Hindi. She is now very self-confident, and very happy with her new image as a literate woman.
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Master Trainer:Amar Singh Thakur
Quality Controller:
Ms Manju Pandey
Instructor:
Shri Zujhar Singh
CSO:
Shri Akhilesh Yadav
Organization:
BYPASS Sansthan, Bamhori, Raisen, MP |
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Mrs Kanta Bai
Dori,Betul,Madhya Pradesh.
Mrs Kanta Bai is 42 years old. Her right leg got affected by polio when she was 2 years old. She has never walked properly. Her husband, Bhaddu Lal, is also affected by polio. They have a small shop. They have one son and five daughters. Their eldest daughter is also a Tara Akshar student. The family lives below the poverty line.
Kanta Bai signed up for the Tara Akshar literacy course as soon as it started in her village last August. After 30 days on course, she passed her exam and graduated. Her whole family are very happy for her and are very thankful to Tara Akshar. Kanta Bai’s self-confidence has increased tremendously. She is very happy to be known as a literate woman, especially in an area where they are few and far between.
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Master Trainer:Sh Sunil Masatkar
Quality Controller:
Sh Sanjay Mallaiya
Instructor:
Sh Sunil Patil
CSO:
Sh Sahab A Syed
Organization:
S.R.U.B., Ghoradongri, Betul, MP |
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Tara Akshar Graduates from Haryana who are disabled
Ms Reena
Karheda,Mewat,Haryana.
Reena, aged 16 years is resident of village Karheda in Mewat district of Haryana. Both her legs got affected by polio. She cannot walk properly - she walks on her hands. Her father, Shri Karamchand, is a shepherd, and they are living below the poverty line.
On 7 Jun 2007, with the help of the S.M.Sehgal Foundation, a TARA Akshar center commenced in Karheda village. Reena came to know from her fellow friend and Ms Kamlesh, the Instructor. Reena wanted to study. Ms Kamlesh, informed Ms Razia, Quality Controller and they met her and her family members.
On 25 July 07, the Second Teaching Cycle commenced in Village Karheda. Reena joined the centre, her day-to-day performance improved, and in no time she was way ahead of her fellow students. During the rainy season, Reena faced problems, as her clothes used to get ruined by the mud and slush on her way to class. Nevertheless, she continued attending at the TARA Akshar center.
Her exam was conducted on 19 Aug 2007 and she passed. Reena can now read and write Hindi. Her confidence level has increased tremendously and she is very happy with her new image as literate girl.
Reena along with 221 women in Mewat District of Haryana, India, has been made literate so far from the grant given by Pakhar Foundation. The target is to make 600 women of Mewat District literate through TARA Akshar by 30 Jun 2008.
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Quality Controller:
Razia
Instructor:
Ms. Kamlesh
Organization:
S.M. Sehgal Foundation, Gurgaon, Haryana |
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Tara Akshar Graduates from Delhi who are disabled
Asha
Delhi Region
Asha is a married lady in her twenties with a very photogenic son (see picture). She used to be completely illiterate. She enrolled for the Tara Akshar course, and always brought her son. At the end of 3 weeks on course, she told us the following:
“My husband used to consider me good-for-nothing because I was illiterate. He would never include me in taking decisions. But now that I can read, our whole relationship has changed. My husband treats me with respect. I am now for the first time a part of the decision-making in our house.
She then said to us: “I bless you. Let every good thing happen to you for giving me literacy.”
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Quality Controller:
Instructor:
CSO:
Organization:
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Seetho
Delhi Region
Seetho is a single lady in her late twenties. She used to be completely illiterate. She had polio as a child. She cannot use her legs. She cannot stand. She can move herself about slowly using her hands. She had a wheelchair but it broke a few years ago. That, plus her lack of self-confidence, caused her to shut herself away and remain in her house for year after year.
Then she heard about the Tara Akshar course in her village of Bhatti Mines. She requested her sister-in-law to take her, by “piggy-back”, to the Community Hall where she enrolled for the course. She became our best student. She always arrived on time (on her sister-in-law’s back). She always smiled. She learned quicker than everyone else. She was an inspiration to the instructors, let alone the students.
She passed her written comprehension exam at the end of the course with almost full marks. She went onto run our Reading Club for other Tara Akshar graduates. But now she gets about unaided using her new wheelchair!
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