Das, Varsha (India)

Field of
Expertise
Curriculum/Material Development
Others
Communication through print, folk and audio-visual media
Detailed
Information
on Expertise
- Developing material for neo-literates by organising writers' and illustrators' workshops in rural areas with the involvement of neo-literates and adult education functionaries, since 1980, besides handling total publishing progamme of the National Book Trust, India in 16 Indian languages. Books are developed for post-literacy and continuing education by commissioning subject experts, adapting and translating well-known literary works.
- Editing and publishing a monthly bulletin in Hindi 'Saksharta Samvad' for adult education functionaries and neo-literates.
- Organising village level mobile book exhibitions and sale of books for neo-literates, children and rural readers in different parts of the country in collaboration with local administration of NGO.
- Writing film and video scripts on literacy and women's issues, including animation videos Mina Smiles and Mina's Village and the River for Asia/Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO, Tokyo.
- Participating as a speaker/resource person in the seminars/workshops/training courses/symposia at the regional, national and international levels.
Position and
Organisation		 Chief Editor and Joint Director
National Book Trust
Contact
Address		 A-5, Green Park, New Delhi - 110016
E-mail nbtindia@ndb.vsnl.net.in
Language
Proficiency		 English, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Oriya, Marathi
Education
Background
and Degree		 Ph.D. (Education)
M.A. (Sanskrit)




Experiences in Literacy Project:

(1) Name of the Project Developing books for neo-literates and continuing education in Hindi for city slum population.
Name of Organiser Urban Literacy Project and National Book Trust, India
Duration 5-8 December 2000
Project Location New Delhi
Your Role/
Responsibility

Organised and conducted the workshop in two phases. The first phase was a brain storming session in which NGO representatives, Government officials in charge of adult education, publishers and writers participated. 15 topics were identified after listing about 40. These topics were given to the writers. Their synopses were received. Suggestions were sent for improvement. In the second phase of three day-workshop, all the manuscripts were read, discussed, received and field-tested in the slum areas of Delhi.
(2) Name of the Project Developing books for neo-literates in Hindi on the topics of health, environment and general issue.
Name of Organiser Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and National Book Trust
Duration 21 & 22 August 2000
Project Location New Delhi
Your Role/
Responsibility
- Organised and conducted the workshop which included guiding writers and illustrators to develop books on variety of topics in comic strip style. Since this experience was being done for the first time, each frame had to be discussed like a picture frame of a cartoon film. Synopsis of each story was produced in advance. The text was finalised in the workshop.
- Prior to the workshop, a meeting of illustrators was called in which each synopses was read out and each artist was requested to select as per his/her aptitude. Blank dummies were provided to the artists, number of pages were fixed. In the workshop, one artist along with his/her writer worked independently on their respective book. Rough drafts were prepared in the workshop. Final artwork and text were submitted later on.
(3) Name of the Project Developing books for neo-literates in Hindi, in Bhopal
Name of Organiser Directorate of Adult Education, Madhya Pradesh and National Book Trust, India
Duration Oct. 1998
Project Location Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Your Role/
Responsibility		 Organised and conducted the workshop which included taking the writers to the field for interacting with neo-literates to ascertain their reading skills, identify problems and needs, observe their exposure to books and other media etc. Identified topics for each writer and conducted detailed discussion on proposed manuscripts.
(4) Name of the Project Developing books for neo-literates in Hindi, Phase 1 and 2, on folk tales and region specific problems.
Name of Organiser District Literacy Association, Solan and National Book Trust, India
Duration Sept. 1996, Aug. 1997
Project Location Solan District, Himachal Pradesh
Your Role/
Responsibility		 Organised and conducted the workshop which included taking the writers to the field for interacting with neo-literates to ascertain their reading skills, identify problems and needs, observe their exposure to books and other media etc. Identified topics for each writer and conducted detailed discussion on proposed manuscripts.
(5) Name of the Project Developing books for neo-literates in Telugu on income generating activities Phase 1 and 2
Name of Organiser State Resource Centre for Adult Education, Andhra Pradesh and National Book Trust, India
Duration Jan. and Nov. 1996
Project Location Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
Your Role/
Responsibility

Organised and conducted the workshop which included guiding the writers for the language and content of each manuscript, helping writer field test each manuscript with the help of neo-literates and field functionaries in rural areas, conducting discussion on the feedback and get the manuscript revised for printing.

Organised and conducted the workshop which included taking the writers to the field for interacting with neo-literates to ascertain their reading skills, identify problems and needs, observe their exposure to books and other media etc. Identified topics for each writer and conducted detailed discussion on proposed manuscripts.



Major Publication(s):

1. "Sun and Moon" (A picture book for children, 6-8 age group, in English, Hindi, Gujarati and Malayalam), National Book Trust, India, 2000.
2. "Shabdonun Akash" (Poetry translation from Oriya to Gujarati), Sahitya Akademi, Mumbai, 1996.
3. "Traditional Performing Arts for Scientific Temper" (English), New Age International (P) Ltd., New Delhi, 1992.
4. "Hamara Gujarat" (travelogue for children, 10-14 age group, in Hindi), National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi, 1991.
5. "Mausi ne Kahi Kahani" (Social Sciences for children, 8-11 age group, in Hindi), Kitab Ghar, New Delhi, 1990.
6. "Rajguru Ka Rahasya & Samjhdar Mina" (Hindi), UNICEF, New Delhi, 1988.
7. "Kunupriya" (A short story collection in Gujarati), R.R. Sheth & Co., Ahmedabad, 1985.
8. "Bharatni Adhunik Chitrakala" (Contemporary Indian Painting, in Gujarati), Parichay Trust, Mumbai, 1980.

[Updated in June 2001]



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