Literacy and Empowerment

"The importance of universal literacy has been recognised only recently in India. The nineties witnessed the emergence of mass literacy compaigns as the societal response–both at the level of official efforts and of people’s movements–to this belated realisation. This vivid and lively account of a celebrated mass literacy compaign in the backward district of Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu is set in the context of India’s policies and programmes to advance adult education over the past fifty years. The first book length documentation of one of the most exciting initiatives of recent times, this engrossing blend of historical analysis, contemporary narrative and critical reflection will be extremely useful to all those involved in the fields of social work, literacy, education, development work, social movements, political science and sociology."