Union Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal has urged President Pratibha Patil to flag off a government-sponsored Yatra, christened as Sakshar Bharat Yatra from Delhi on February 18.
He also urged other union ministers to join some part of the journey or receive the yatris as they pass through 22 states in the 38-day long Yatra covering some 16,000 villages in 180 districts.
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It will be a massive entourage of performing artistes and social workers, drawing attention of the people to a "Sakshar Bharat" programme launched by the government in September 2009 to impart literacy to 7 crore adults, aged 15 years and above.
The yatra will reach the remotest areas where adult literacy remains a key challenge.
Sibal has also written to all the chief ministers to join the project and help spread the message of literacy. Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdllah has also promised to join the yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.
Corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily will be present at Bidar when the yatra reaches his state Karnataka. Home Minister P Chidambaram has also consented to receive the participants at Erode in Tamil Nadu.
The ministry is also trying to add a glamour quotient to the Yatra by approaching some sports icons for their endorsement.
