Project: Akshar Gyana

Chidanand (A.S.S. College, Gadag)

Literacy remains one of the most serious issues facing the world today.   Chidanand recognized his own potential to solve the literacy problem on a local level, and implemented a project for the illiterate women in his village.  He taught them how to read and write useful words, and how to sign their own signatures.  Through his initiative, these women can better manage their daily lives and exercise more independence.

Project: Teaching Illiterate People

Somshekar Nekar (SKSVMACET)

Many people in Laxmeshwar, especially women, do not know how to read, write, or even sign their own names. While these tasks may appear to be simple and basic, they form a crucial part of managing daily life.  Knowing this, Somshekar felt that it was important to help these women.  He held evening classes for 20 women every day.  Now, these 20 women know how to read, write, and sign their own names.  Additionally, these women now know how open savings bank accounts.  Because of Somshekar's initiative towards empowerment, these women will now lead brighter futures.

Project: LEAD Library

Santosh G Katral (KLECET)

The village of Honwad did not have a decent library.  Santosh wanted to create a library for the villagers, particularly the students, to enhance creativity, education, and provide them a place to study.

Construction of the library started with making a list of requirements and collecting the necessary materials.  Santosh and his team approached Shrikant Talakeri, Uttam Katral, Gopal Katral, Anil Natikar, and Prashant Uttare and collected over 400 study materials such as textbooks, exam books, notes, quote books, storybooks, and magazines.  Prashant Talakeri, the President of the library, provided space for the library without requiring any rent.  Santosh and his team then appointed people for the management positions of the LEAD Library.

The LEAD Library has been very helpful to villagers and students alike in Honwad.  Santosh says that the most important lesson he learned from this is that "when major problems arise, we should try to do something different than others."

Project: Refresh the Mind

Pooja V. Bhat (BIET)

As per the saying "Student life is golden life."  Pooja took initiative to make time memorable through the small and simple task of reading.  She conducted a survey and discovered an interest in reading among the student.  Pooja purchased some new books and received permission from the PG head to establish a LEAD library.  Pooja invited all of the PG girls to participate in the inauguration of the LEAD Library.  During the inauguration, she explained about the LEAD program. Her initiative inspired the girls to to become more involved in leadership activities and social work.  

Project: Teaching the Village Women

Ashwini (SKSVMACET)

Ashwini empowered village women through literacy.  First, she educated the women on the importance and advantages of literacy, and how literacy would benefit not only themselves, but their families as well.  Then, Ashwini organized several classes where she taught the women basic Kannada letters and sentence formation.  Implementing this project helped Ashwini not only increase the self-confidence of the women whom she taught, but it also helped her increase her own self-confidence as well.  

Project: Evening Class

Moushin M J (Karnataka Science College, Dharwad)

Moushin dedicated his project to holding evening literacy classes for the illiterate maids working at KCD.  His first class started only with one woman, but soon grew to a class size of six women.  As of now, the women who have participated in Moushin's class can now write their names and read bus boards. Moushin's class is still in progress, and more women have since joined the class.  

Project: Teaching Illiterate People to do Signatures

LEADer: Someshekar Nekar

College: SKSVMACET

Nowadays there is a big importance for signatures. There are many illiterate people who don’t know how to do a single signature as  proof of their privacy  and other purposes. LEADer Someshekar Nekar took the initative and planned to do this project for the workers in his college campus. Around 20 workers who didn’t know how to do their signatures were taught how to write their names. 

Project: Kannada Poem Writing Competition

LEADer Harsha

Location: Davangere

Harsha, a LEADer of BIET conducted a Kannada poem writing competition for students in Davangere. In this 21^st century the mother tongue of Kannada language is losing the value from lack of usage. Noticing this, students were given an opportunity to explore their Kannada poem writing skills. It was  an initiation to give importance to Kannada literature. Students framed poems rhythmically which let to creative thinking. 

Project: Children's Library

LEADer: Pavana Hegde
Location: Sirsi

Pavana collected books from the alumni of her primary school and searched for sponsorship. She then went on to collect old moral storybooks from villagers and set up a small workshop in the school to house and maintain the library. In total she collected 200 books for the school and 30 children actively participated in this program.