The literacy rate in Bihar has gone up during the past decade, but still about 40 per cent of the population is illiterate. But this proposed Anpadh (illiterate) University has nothing to do with increasing literacy. This “university” to come up in Bhagalpur will bring some light in the lives of widowed, divorced, destitute and poor women, who have no support, to eke out a living as many of them are brought to the brink of beggary. This institution will impart them some knowledge of how to survive and live a life where they can earn and not face the shame of begging.
“This university will be dedicated to all the poor and helpless women and to give them skill lessons,” said the person behind this move Shabana Dawood, who runs a charity organisation Fateh Help Society (FHS). About the name of the centre as Anpadh, she said, “This centre is only for the totally illiterate women hence this name.”
The foundation of this residential institution was laid on Sunday last at Deogachhi village land donated by FHS medmbers Bijay Kumar and his wife Chandana Chaudhary. The local Nathnagar JD(U) MlA Ajay Mandal announced a fund of Rs 10 lakh from his legislature fund.
Dawood, a prominent social worker of Bhagalpur who has a knack of rushing to help the needy, said bamboo and straw huts would be constructed on the land for about a 100 women to impart them skill training in making papad, bamboo baskets, candle etc where basic infrastructure and trainers would be provided. Similarly the office and training centres would also be made of bamboo, wood and straw. The women who have no place to live will be given shelter and those having house would come to learn the skill could go back.
Asked when this institute would start functioning Dawood, a mother of two, said, “If I have a magic wand I will love to start it from today. But we are trying to make all the basic arrangements as soon as possible.”
She conceived this idea when a stream of women met her and sought her help and also showed their keen interest of learning skill and engaging them in some work. Dawood said she would also arrange for the marketing of their products. Earlier she launched a programme to introduce skill development for the female inmates of Shaheed Jubba Sahni Centtal jail in Bhagalpur.
Dawood plans to carry forward her mission with the support of people and said she would seek public donation. “I started it all alone but people are coming up with support and promise to help this mission turns a success,” she added.