At a time when the Central government’s efforts to popularise Hindi in the southern States are facing stiff resistance, a grama panchayat in Kozhikode district is on its way to become the first local body in Kerala to achieve total literacy in Hindi.
Driven by the presence of a large number of migrant workers from northern States, the initiative was launched by the Chelannur panchayat on Independence Day. The local body plans to declare itself 100% Hindi literate by the next Republic Day.
As most parts of the State, Chelannur too has been witnessing a huge inflow of workers from the North Indian States and the local people find themselves at a disadvantage while communicating with them. This has been the prime reason that prompted the panchayat to take up the initiative.
