Introduction: Make A Difference to organise nationwide back-a-thons on World Literacy Day to raise awareness against illiteracy
Pushing child illiteracy backwards, literally, youth volunteers of non-profit child empowerment organisation Make A Difference (MAD) will flag off a ‘back-a-thon’ across 20 Indian cities on September 8th to mark the occasion of World Literacy Day.
A back-a-thon, unlike the more popular marathon, is an event in which participants walk backward in a uniform fashion. More of a social gathering than a sporting event, the backward walk signifies an intent to push back deteriorating social values; which in this case is the growing levels of illiteracy plaguing the country. As per latest government statistics, for every three children in a shelter home who manage to finish their 12th grade, there are 97 dropping out.
A number of child education activists, celebrities and like-minded citizens are expected to join in for the back-a-thon, which when conducted will be India’s largest social gathering of citizens of all ages, in such a format.
The venues for the same have been selected keeping public and traffic conveniences in mind, and according to Mr. Jithin J. Krishnan, Director, Communications for MAD, youth hangout centres, residential colonies and college campuses are being zeroed in for the same.
In Delhi, the event will be flagged off at 16:00 hours at Jantar Mantar . For details about time and venues elsewhere, please click here.
About MAD
Make A Difference (MAD) is a platform that empowers youth to make positive social impact in the lives of children at risk in orphanages, street shelters and poor homes.