ILLITERACY IN INDIA by Aditya Malik

As we all know that literacy as the basic requirement of economic development has been recognized throughout the world and hence literacy has reached around 99% in countries of Japan,South Korea, USS, UK, Germany, France, etc.

But in India the literacy is still hovering around 74% on an average, reaching above 90% in Kerala and below 75% in Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, Jharkhand etc . All efforts and success in literacy have become albiterated by huge rise in population.

Women population contributes a larger portion of total illiterate population. In India, the female literacy rate is around 65% as against the male literacy rate of around 82% .Hence,  women education is very important eradicate illiteracy.

Illiteracy is maximum amongst scheduled caste, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes who are not only poor, but unaware, unconcerned and unwilling to improve and change their lot. Illiteracy, deprives people not only of economic development but also of all benefits of education, reading, writing etc,remaining within the darkness of ignorance, poverty and impoverishes.

It is essential that the government of India Rises up to the occasion and take all possible steps, to setup thousands of primary schools all around the country, making literacy a compulsory obligation of every citizen without which he will be penalized. For  this the primary education has to be made free of tuition fees, all books and papers and instruments including computers to be supplied free of cost.

Unless all citizens are literate and educated they cannot ever read newspaper, notices advertisement, posters and  letters from near and dear ones. This will compel the illiterate masses to be deprived of 90% benefit of development, entertainment, sports and games, medical prescription,operate cellphones, TV and computer.

Students are the builders of a nation. They can do a lot to eradicate illiteracy. They can spend their time and holidays to help illiterate people to become literate, teaching them the habit of hygiene and sanitation.

A blind person cannot witness the captivating beauty of nature similarly, and illiterate person remains blindfolded to be charms of the world of learning and knowledge. If and when illiteracy will be removed completely, India will be a new country where 100% people can participate in all programs of economic development.

By Aditya Malik
Centurion Defence Academy