By Alok Mohit
PATNA: In an effort to spread awareness about dyslexia, several iconic buildings in Patna, along with historic monuments and government offices across India– including the Rashtrapati Bhavan, North and South Blocks–were illuminated in red on the evening of the last Sunday in October.
Each year, October is observed as International Dyslexia Awareness Month, featuring various programmes and campaigns under the ‘Go Red’ theme. These initiatives aim to dismantle the stigma around dyslexia and other learning disabilities, eliminate discrimination, and raise public awareness.
To support dyslexia awareness, UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development and the ChangeInkk Foundation sought government backing for the ‘Go Red’ campaign. As part of this effort, several important buildings in Patna, such as the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Secretariat, and Visvesvaraya Bhavan, were lit up in red.
Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects reading and writing skills. According to global studies, an estimated 15-18% of people, much like Ishaan Awasthi from the film ‘Taare Zameen Par’, may experience symptoms of dyslexia.
- The author Alok Mohit is former senior News Editor of Hindustan Times Patna and Hindustan Times, Chandigarh editions.
