Microsoft founder Bill Gates may not need interpreters to communicate with Amethi women on his next visit. This is what Rahul Gandhi has assured the philanthropist.
On his visit to Amethi Tuesday, Gates needed Gandhi?s help as translator to interact with women who were members of a clutch of self help groups belonging to the Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana (RGMVP).
Gandhi?s optimism stems from an English language training programme that started in these areas since September 2008, under the initiative of the Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS). English as an aspirational tool has captured more and more of the rural imagination and Rahul Gandhi seems to have realised the importance of it in his years representing the constituency. In the 2009 General Election, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav?s anti-English and anti-computer manifesto failed him miserably, a fact not unnoticed by Gandhi. ?People want to learn skills which can get a better life for them, they see children of the rich learn English and getting better opportunities,? said a source in the Gandhi entourage.
The programme entails training women members of self help groups, under the umbrella of the RGMVP in English. These women in turn are expected to teach their children language skills especially the feedback needed at home.
?Whatever you teach in school can only be a part of it, if the language is spoken at home it has a different impact,? said a source. Many of these women, mostly Class X dropouts can also earn nominal amount through this. As of now 30 self help groups have enrolled in the programme, and over 50 schools have also decided to participate and provide space for classes which would teach English from class I to class VII levels. The last time certificates were given out to those successfully completing the course, the guest of honor was British foreign secretary David Milliband. This time round Bill Gates may do the honours. ?I want to show you America,? Bill Gates reportedly said to the members of RGMVP, ?and please ask your children to learn computers,? he is said to have added.
According to company sources, an impact assessment study of the programme would be done in December. ?If it works out then it could be implemented by other Congress MPs in their constituencies as well,? said a source in the Congress.