Retrospect and Prospect Lakshmidhar Mishra Improving upon the National Adult Education Programme, the National Literacy Mission (NLM) made the demand for literacy from the illiterates as an entry point to generate mass participation in adult literacy programmes. The total literacy campaigns (TLCs) launched under the auspices of NLM in various districts of the country not only energised government officials and general populace but distinctly empowered the disadvantaged sections of the society. Yet, given the limited human, material and financial resources in an administrative set up, and the neglect of post-literacy and continuing education phase, the TLCs would achieve their goat in a more systematic manner if alternative strategies by local voluntary agencies and social action groups too are encouraged by the zilla saksharatha samitis.
