The National Literacy Mission (NLM) plans to lead Delhi's 2.48 million illiterates "from darkness into light". Besides reading and writing, the mission will focus on sex education, AIDS awareness, drug and alcohol addiction, greenery, sanitation and hygiene, physical fitness, family planning, first aid, legal education, women's empowerment and immunisation.

K J Alphonse, who was instrumental in achieving 100 per cent literacy in Kottayam and Ernakulam districts of Kerala, will lead the campaign, which has been named the Rajdhani Saksharata Samiti. The Samiti includes politicians, non-governmental organisation and voluntary workers. It is to be launched in May 1994 and hopes to achieve 100 per cent literacy in the 9-35 age group within two years.

Funds for the Rs 14-crore project will be raised from the NLM, the government of Delhi, various UN bodies and the Young Men's Christian Association. About Rs 2 crore will be spent on setting up 40,000 learning centres in every city slum. With about 120,000 volunteers, 75 people in each centre will be taught everyday. Incentives for participation include free eye testing and provision of spectacles.