Udupi district set to be declared ‘fully literate’
Udupi: Udupi district is all set to be declared a “fully literate” district, marking a major milestone in its adult education drive launched last year, The New Indian Express reported.
According to officials from the Adult Education Office, declarations confirming near-total literacy have already been received from Kapu, Karkala, Hebri, Brahmavara, and Byndoor taluks. Udupi and Kundapur taluks are expected to submit their declarations shortly. Once these are received, the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) will declare Udupi a fully literate district.
As per Central government norms, a region is considered fully literate when it achieves a literacy rate of 95% or above, which is treated as equivalent to 100% literacy.
Udupi district has a total of 158 gram panchayats, all of which have submitted reports indicating near-total literacy. The final step involves consolidation of declarations by taluk panchayat executive officers (EO) and submission to the ZP Chief Executive Officer for official approval.
The achievement follows a focused initiative in which 1,246 illiterate adults were identified and enrolled in special four-month literacy courses. Conducted by the Adult Education Office, the programme used tailored learning materials to impart basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills, with participants assessed at the end of the course.
Officials said the initiative primarily benefited adults and elderly individuals who had missed formal education earlier, helping bridge literacy gaps and improve civic participation at the grassroots level.
District Adult Education Officer Yoganarasimha Swamy K M said specially designed textbooks, ‘Balige Belaku’ and ‘Savi Baraha’, which were specially designed for educating adults, were used to ensure the district becomes fully literate.
Officials said that about eight months ago, 45 out of 158 gram panchayats were yet to achieve full literacy, making the current progress a significant accomplishment.
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Eight women labourers killed as truck hits tempo on Nagpur-Mumbai expressway
Jalna/Mumbai (PTI): Eight women labourers were killed, and three others were injured after a speeding truck rammed into a tempo on the Nagpur-Mumbai Expressway in Jalna district of Maharashtra on Wednesday evening, police said.
The incident occurred when a group of women was returning home after completing cleaning work on the expressway.
"A total of 11 persons, including the driver, were sitting in the tempo. As the vehicle was about to start, a speeding truck headed towards Mumbai rammed into it from behind at Kadvanchi village," a police official said, adding that seven women died on the spot and another succumbed in the Jalna government hospital.
The tempo was badly mangled, and the bodies were reportedly strewn across the road.
The deceased have been identified as Alkabai Admane (45), Laxmibai Madan (35), Meena Admane (45), Kanchan Admane (50), Tarabai Choudhari (60), Kadubai Madan (55), and Suman Admane (70), all residents of Jalna tehsil.
The identity of the eighth deceased is yet to be confirmed.
Three people are undergoing treatment at the hospital.
Police have arrested the truck driver and registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway.
Expressing grief, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the death of eight people is extremely unfortunate, and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.
Fadnavis paid heartfelt tributes to the deceased and expressed solidarity with their families.
He said in a statement the injured have been immediately admitted to hospitals and the local administration is coordinating relief efforts.
The district collector and the superintendent of police are present at the spot, overseeing the situation, the chief minister added.
Environment Minister and Jalna District Guardian Minister Pankaja Munde has expressed deep sorrow over the incident.
In a condolence message, Munde extended her sympathies to the families of the deceased.
