With an aim to attain total literacy in the country over the next 10 years, as stated by HRD minister Kapil Sibal after the release of provisional Census figures recently, the ministry has decided to involve the Union culture and information and broadcasting ministries for active collaboration in the endeavour.
The human resource development ministry is seeking the help of these two ministries to covey the message of literacy under the National Literacy Mission. The partnership of these ministries has been proposed as it was felt that creation of a favourable environment to generate demand for literacy was critical to the success of the mission. Official sources stated that all kinds of media and art forms are expected to be engaged to convey the literacy messages. “Though several initiatives have been taken by the National Literacy Mission Authority for media campaign it was felt that there is a need to firm up the interpersonal media and outdoor publicity activities,” sources added. The two ministries are likely to help the HRD ministry in generating awareness regarding the literacy programme through public awareness campaigns in the rural areas. Official sources stated that the programme has already been rolled out in country’s 285 districts and the government aims to cover 90 more.