Raipur, Union Human Resources Development Minister Mr. Prakash Jawadekar today appreciated the efforts of Chhattisgarh State Government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh in spreading education and literacy. He was addressing the Mukhyamantri Akshar Samman Samaroh and State-level Akshar Sammelan at the Indoor Stadium in the capital. Two districts-Raipur and Balrampur- three developmental blocks and seven gram panchayats were awarded with Mukhyamantri Akshar Samman. Mr. Jawadekar said that whenever he tours Chhattisgarh he is energized. The aim is to make entire nation literate by the year 2022. He hoped with people’s participation this State will attain the target before the deadline. The Union Minister said that Dr. Raman Singh’s Government had been laying stress on quality education. There is a better implementation of various policies and programmes at the ground-level. He added that the students of Prayas School in the capital replied with confidence when he visited the school last time. The students of far-flung regions are entering prestigious institutes and civil services which denoted that the quality of education had improved a lot. The Union Minister said that in the year 1947, literacy rate was 18 per cent and now it is 81 per cent. Only 19 per cent are illiterates as of now. Mr. Jawadekar said with the support of school students the target of cent per cent literacy can be attained easily. Dr. Raman Singh said that motivators of Shakshar Bharat Abhiyan are part of the historic mission. Akshar Gynan Jyoti will be lit in the far-flung villages soon. He revealed that there are some districts where literacy rate is less than 74 per cent (State average). Chief Minister said that Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya launched ‘Antyodaya’ and with the co-operation of all, Gynan Jyoti will be lit in all parts of the State. Her said that literacy rate is 38 per cent in Adivasi -dominated Bijapur , 40 per cent in Sukma, 48 per cent at Dantewada and Narayanpur, 53 per cent at Bastar, 56 per cent at Kondagaon, 57 per cent at Balrampur and 60 per cent at Kabirdham. The literacy rate will be increased to the State-level soon. School Education Minister Mr. Kedar Kashyap also addressed the gathering. Agriculture Minister Mr. Brijmohan agrawal, MP Mr. Ramesh Bais, Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Ambesh Jaangde, MLA Mr. Sreechand Sundrani were also present. Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh appreciated the contribution of Union Minister Mr. Prakash Jawadekar in spreading education and literacy in the State. He sanctioned 11 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and six Central Schools in the State. Dr. Raman Singh congratulated the educators’- motivators for bagging National Literacy Awards for -Dantewada and Jashpur- in New Delhi on International Literacy Day. He said that in 21st century, basic knowledge of computers is pre-requisite for literacy. An award of Rs One lakh each had been given to Raipur and Balrampur under the ‘ Mukhyamantri Akshar samman’. ‘Jan Shikshan Sansthan’ Surguja also bagged ‘Mukhyamantri Akshar Samman’. Motivators of the districts were also felicitated.
