Smt Chhutkanni Devi of Marsanda, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh

Name : Smt Chhutkanni Devi
Village : Marsanda
District : Sitapur
State : Uttar Pradesh
Age : 45

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.

Master Trainer : Smt Shahnaz Begum
Quality Controller : Smt Preeti Mishra
Instructor : Sh Avanish Pande
Civil Society Organization : Sh Akhilesh Tiwari
Organization : Sarthi Development Foundation, Lucknow

Central Reading Club organized by FSS, Battiah, Bihar for TARA Akshar Graduates

From Mewat, Haryana

Name : Ms Reena
Father’s Name : Sh Karamchand
Village : Karheda
District : Mewat
State : 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.

The TARA Akshar staff and organization:

Quality Controller : Razia
Instructor : Ms. Kamlesh
Organization : S.M. Sehgal Foundation, Gurgaon, Haryana

Tara Akshar Graduate is elected Sarpanch (leader) of her village

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.


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.)

Graduation Ceremony organised by Nidan, Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

Tara Akshar in Madhya Pradesh

Tara Akshar featured in Rediff.com

Article: 'A school that opens minds'

Video: '30 days back she was illiterate and now she was reading a poem she had written' - Interview with Victor Lyons

Video: 'A peek into the class'