CALENDAR A VITAL TOOL TO REACH THE “AAM AADMI” - MANISH TEWARI

New Delhi, The Government of India’s Wall Calendar for 2013 was released today in the presence of Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari along with Minister for Telecommunications and IT, Shri Kapil Sibal, Minister of State for Personnel, 

Public Grievances & Pensions and PMO, Shri V. Narayanasamy. Justice Shri Markandey Katju, Chairman PCI, Secretary (I&B), Shri Uday Kumar  Varma and Prime Ministers Communications Advisor Shri Pankaj Pachauri were also present  on the occasion. The theme of the calendar is based on “Bharat Nirman and other flagship  schemes of the Government”. 

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish  Tewari said that the calendar as a tool of communication played an important role in  disseminating information regarding the policies of the Government. This was despite the  fact that media platforms were enhancing their reach through digital means of  communication. The calendar ensured that the benefits of the flagship schemes reached the  doorstep of the “Aam Aadmi” especially as the objective was to showcase images of rights, “Haq for the common man”. This initiative of the Government was a step to make the people  aware of policies that aimed to achieve inclusive growth in the governance process. Shri  Tewari further added that the people residing in rural areas always have the passion for wall  calendars hence the calendar brought out by the Government can serve as an important source  of information for them. 

Earlier, Shri Kapil Sibal and Shri V. Narayanasamy highlighted the initiatives taken  by the Government to promote the rights and entitlements of the common people through the various flagship schemes. Over the years Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) had been  successful in developing a composite broadbased social advertising brand the “Bharat  Nirman” which caters to disseminating information of various flagship and other welfare  programmes and the achievements of Government of India. The visual portrayal in the 2013  Calendar too is based on this composite branding.  The Calendar designed and printed by the DAVP of the Ministry of Information and  Broadcasting depicts the various flagship programmes of the Government of India. The  theme of the calendar is: ‘Bharat Nirman- Sabka hit, Sabka Haq’. This year’s calendar portrays in colourful images the regime of Rights (Haq) for the common  man (aam aadmi) by encouraging the intended beneficiaries to claim the benefits under the  Bharat Nirman and other flagship schemes of the Government of India.January month displays the ‘AADHAR’ based Direct Cash Transfer Scheme being  implemented in 51 districts from January 2013.The scheme ensures the intended beneficiaries  to receive full benefit of the central government programmes.

February month shows the PM’s New 15-point Programme for welfare of Minorities. This programme provides various facilities to minorities to seek equitable share in economic  activities, including education.

March month represents the ‘Sarva Shikha Abhiyan’, a prominent program which provides  primary and upper primary education for children with new intervention as uniform, transport  facility. April month is dedicated to a unique scheme, Mid Day Meal Scheme nurturing crore of  children with hot cooked meals in schools.11.85 lakh schools have been provided with kitchen devices.May month exhibits one of the most popular scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, which has benefited more than five crore families in the year 2011-12.  Universal Immunization program is the key depiction of June month. About 2.5 crore  children got the benefit of free vaccination.  Literacy and education are the key to human resource development. July month is dedicated  to ‘Saakshar Bharat Abhiyan’ launched in 372 districts. This mission will empower the  seven crore illiterates is 1.6 lakh village panchayats to impart functional literacy.Healthy mothers and children build the brighter present and future of the nation. The month 

of august presents ‘Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram’ benefiting one crore pregnant  women with all free medical services.

September month page is dedicated to empowerment of schedule castes through Schedule  Castes Empowerment Program which provides benefits to 48 lakh students, including new scholarship schemes.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana is the theme of October month. Through this scheme  over 46 thousand habitations have been connected through all- weather roads. 

Power is the basis of development. November month throws light on Rajiv Gandhi  Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana. This scheme completed electrification of one lakh villages  till October 2012.

The well renowned scheme Indira Awas Yojana covers the December page of the calendar.