Path to Literacy: Empowering Communities

Even today, many women in rural communities never had the opportunity to receive education during childhood. Poverty, household responsibilities, and social circumstances prevented them from attending school. As a result, basic tasks such as managing finances, understanding official documents, or supporting their children’s education become difficult for them. In such situations, adult education programmes play an important role in bringing positive change to their lives . The story of Radhika , a resident of Bagiya village in Kathiraon Gram Panchayat of Baragaon block, Varanasi , is an inspiring example of such transformation. Due to family circumstances and domestic responsibilities during her childhood, Radhika never had the chance to learn reading and writing. Over the years, her life remained focused on household and family duties, leaving education far behind. Her journey began when an adult literacy survey was conducted in the village under the Shiksha Plus Programme , an init...

  “Please write my name too. I want to study.” – Renu Devi For most of her life, Renu Devi , a 39-year-old woman from the Musahar community in Barai village of Baragaon block, Varanasi , believed that education was something she had missed forever. Poverty, family responsibilities, and early marriage had kept her away from school. Today, however, Renu is writing a new chapter in her life. Her journey back to learning began through the Shiksha Plus Programme , an initiative of the Shiv Nadar Foundation (SNF) and implemented by Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) to promote adult literacy among marginalized communities. A Childhood Interrupted Renu’s childhood was filled with hardship. When she was young, her mother fell seriously ill with tuberculosis. Caring for her mother meant that Renu could no longer attend school regularly. Eventually, she had to leave school before completing even the early grades. Soon after, her mother passed away due to lack of treatment, and household responsibi...

  वाराणसी जिले के बड़ागांव ब्लॉक की रहने वाली जैतून नट समुदाय से आती हैं। नट समुदाय परंपरागत रूप से करतब दिखाने और सांप पकड़ने जैसे काम करता था, लेकिन समय के साथ इन पारंपरिक व्यवसायों में कमी आ गई। आज इस समुदाय के कई गरीब परिवार मजदूरी या भीख मांगकर अपना जीवन यापन करने को मजबूर हैं। जैतून भी एक अत्यंत गरीब परिवार से हैं। उनके परिवार में पाँच बेटे और तीन बेटियाँ हैं। कई वर्ष पहले उनके पति का निधन हो गया, जिसके बाद पूरे परिवार की जिम्मेदारी उनके कंधों पर आ गई। पहले उनका गुजारा भीख मांगकर ही चलता था। वे गांव-गांव जाकर भीख मांगती थीं और कभी-कभी मजदूरी भी कर लेती थीं। इतने बड़े परिवार का पालन-पोषण करना उनके लिए बहुत कठिन था। इसी दौरान गांव में Shiv Nadar Foundation (SNF) और जनमित्र न्यास (JMN) के सहयोग से प्रौढ़ शिक्षा से संबंधित एक सर्वे किया गया। इस पहल के तहत गांव में “शिक्षा प्लस कार्यक्रम” शुरू किया गया, जिसका उद्देश्य उन महिलाओं और वयस्कों को पढ़ना-लिखना सिखाना था जिन्हें बचपन में शिक्षा का अवसर नहीं मिल पाया। इसी दौरान गांव में जन शिक्षक प्रिया यादव आईं। उन्होंने गांव की म...

लालती देवी (70 वर्ष), ग्राम बरही नेवादा, बड़ागांव, वाराणसी जीवनभर के संघर्ष के बाद आज प्रौढ़ शिक्षा के माध्यम से अपने अधूरे सपनों को साकार करती हुईं। शिक्षा ने उन्हें नया आत्मविश्वास, सम्मान और पहचान दी है । प्रौढ़ शिक्षा कक्षा का दृश्य – बड़ागांव, वाराणसी शिव नाडर फाउंडेशन की शिक्षा प्लस (Shiksha Plus) पहल के अंतर्गत जन मित्र न्यास द्वारा संचालित प्रौढ़ शिक्षा केंद्र में महिलाएँ उत्साहपूर्वक पढ़ाई करती हुईं। यह पहल ग्रामीण महिलाओं के जीवन में सशक्तिकरण और आत्मनिर्भरता की नई राह खोल रही है। यह कहानी शिव नाडर फाउंडेशन की शिक्षा प्लस (Shiksha Plus) पहल के अंतर्गत चल रहे प्रौढ़ शिक्षा कार्यक्रम की एक शिक्षार्थी की आत्म-संघर्ष और जीवनभर की वंचना से उभरती हुई सशक्त गवाही है। उत्तर प्रदेश के वाराणसी जनपद के बड़ागांव ब्लॉक में जन मित्र न्यास द्वारा क्रियान्वित यह कार्यक्रम उन लोगों के जीवन में शिक्षा की रोशनी ला रहा है, जिन्होंने वर्षों तक अभाव, कठिनाई और अवसरों की कमी को सहा, पर सीखने की आशा कभी नहीं छोड़ी।   “सीखने की कोई उम्र नहीं होती” — इस सत्य को ग्राम बरही नेवादा की 70 वर्षीय ला...

 Nation-building is often measured through economic indicators, infrastructure, and technological advancement. Yet, the true strength of a nation lies in the well-being, knowledge, and capability of its people. When healthcare and education converge—especially in rural landscapes—they create a multiplier effect that accelerates sustainable development. The combined efforts of community health programs and digital literacy initiatives demonstrate how grassroots interventions can directly advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while shaping a more inclusive future. A powerful example of this integrated approach can be seen in the rural outreach efforts led by Janmitra Nyas in collaboration with the Shiksha initiative of Shiv Nadar Foundation. Between February 2025 and January 2026, cataract health camps were organized across Kathiraon, Pindra, and PHC Baragaon in Varanasi district. These camps provided eye examinations along with blood pressure and sugar tests, ensuring ho...

  From Literacy to Leadership — Rural Women Leading the Fight Against Child Marriage Child marriage continues to deny millions of children their right to education, health, and dignity. But in Varanasi, a powerful change is underway. Through the Shiksha Plus Initiative of the Shiv Nadar Foundation , implemented by Jan Mitra Nyas (JMN) with PVCHR , 884 rural women have stepped forward to pledge their commitment to protecting childhood and promoting education. What began as a literacy effort is now evolving into a grassroots movement for a Child Marriage-Free India . When women are educated, they don’t just transform their own lives — they uplift families, strengthen communities, and safeguard the future of the next generation. Read the full article by Lenin Raghuvanshi to learn how community-led action is driving real social change: 🔗 https://medium.com/@lenin_75290/toward-a-child-marriage-free-india-when-literate-women-lead-social-transformation-a0d534a81d95 Ending child marri...