The stamp depicts a view of the 'Saksharata Niketan' (Literacy House) established by Welthy Fisher (inset) in Lucknow. The first day cover shows the portrait of Welthy Fisher. The design of the First Day Cancellation shows a book, quill and ink-pot symbolising adult literacy.
Welthy Honsinger Fisher (September 18, 1879 – December 16, 1980) was the American founder of World Education and World Literacy Canada. Welthy was married to Frederick Bohn Fisher, a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, missionary, author, and official in Methodist missionary and men's movements. Welthy was an intellectual, activist, and feminist requested by his friend Mohandas Gandhi to begin Literacy House outside of Lucknow, India, at the age of 73.
For twenty years she devoted every minute of her waking hours to the welfare of the Indian villagers. In 1973 she handed over the management of the institute to the Indian Literacy Board and went back to the United States, where she is still active in her chosen field of work. She has been honoured with many awards, the prestegious among them are Nehru Literacy Award, Ramon Magsaysay Literacy Award, Doctor of Philosophy (Honouris Causa) of the University of Syracuse, U.S. Government Special Award on the International Literacy Day in 1978, UNESCO Literacy Prize, etc.
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