Literacy Programs
12 km away from Santiniketan, under the Kasba Gram Panchayat in Birbhum district, Phasidanga is a tiny tribal village with only 100 residents. They are a part of the Santal Community. A majority of these residents are illiterate. As a result, it’s problematic for them to read, write and understand documents and formal strictures of institutions like Bank, and Panchayat etc.
On a visit by an official of NABARD to this village, many women who were members of self-help groups expressed their difficulties caused due to being illiterate. They were keen on learning reading and writing and needed help for that. The NABARD official shared this information with the members of the Santi Trust. The idea was to explore whether the Santi Trust would be willing to do anything in this regard. After gathering first hand information and interaction with the villagers, Santi Trust felt that literacy program could be initiated in this village. Rotaract club of Tagoreland, Santiniketan (Youth wing of the parent Rotary club) was approached for partial assistance to the programme which they readily agreed.
Accordingly on October 2, 2016, the literacy centre was inaugurated at the village Anganwadi Centre where members of NABARD, Rotaract Club, Santi Trust and villagers were present.
The literacy centre is administrated by the Santi Trust where two persons are assigned the responsibility of teaching and other related activities. Right now the program is held for a year and would be extended noting the response.