National Literacy Mission Authority, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India celebrated International Literacy Day 2014, today at a national level function in the presence of the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee. The Union Minister of Human Resource Development, Smt Smriti Irani presided over the function.
In his address, the President of India said that literacy leads to education in full sense of the term. A literate, and therefore, educated - society is better able to explore its way towards its inclusive economic and social wellbeing through democratic means. The plan of action for eradication of illiteracy should, therefore, not only focus on the tangible aspects of literacy but also delve in to its intangible and intrinsic aspects. Gender disparity in literacy is another important challenge. Shri Mukherjee added that our objective should be to bring India's literacy at par with leading societies of the world.
The President expressed his satisfaction over 2.86 crore learners certified as literate and hoped that they would be inspired to use their learning productively and spread its benefits. President appealed to all stakeholders in a resurgent India to work together in unison and with greater vigour to realise this goal. He appreciated the beginning made to offer opportunities of basic education to neo literates through 'Equivalency Programme'. He congratulated the winners of Saakshar Bharat Awards 2014 and added that these awards would inspire further efforts in the direction of total literacy in India.
Smt Smriti Irani, in her address, said that we are celebrating this day essentially to raise public awareness on the significance of literacy. She said that literacy rate of 73% has been achieved but comparatively low literacy rates among women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minorities are the foremost concerns which are being addressed. Along with literacy, efforts have been made to spread messages of electoral literacy and we have also done our bit in propagating financial literacy which she hoped will align with objective of 'Jan Dhan Yojna', recently launched by the Prime Minister of India for financial inclusion. Smt Irani also, urged up on all, to once again reaffirm resolve to achieve goal of fully literate India.
The President Shri Pranab Mukherjee also gave away 11 Saakshar Bharat Awards 2014 to State, Districts, Blocks, Gram Panchayats, State Resource Centre (SRC) and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) for best performance in the field of adult education.
Shri R. Bhattacharya, Secretary (School Education & Literacy), Shri Shigeru Aoyagi, Director, UNESCO, New Delhi Office & Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, and Shri Y.S.K. Sheshu Kumar, Joint Secretary (Adult Education) & Director General, National Literacy Mission Authority were also present on the occasion.
The function was attended by other dignitaries, guests and beneficiaries and functionaries of adult education programme.
MC/DS/-ILD
In his address, the President of India said that literacy leads to education in full sense of the term. A literate, and therefore, educated - society is better able to explore its way towards its inclusive economic and social wellbeing through democratic means. The plan of action for eradication of illiteracy should, therefore, not only focus on the tangible aspects of literacy but also delve in to its intangible and intrinsic aspects. Gender disparity in literacy is another important challenge. Shri Mukherjee added that our objective should be to bring India's literacy at par with leading societies of the world.
The President expressed his satisfaction over 2.86 crore learners certified as literate and hoped that they would be inspired to use their learning productively and spread its benefits. President appealed to all stakeholders in a resurgent India to work together in unison and with greater vigour to realise this goal. He appreciated the beginning made to offer opportunities of basic education to neo literates through 'Equivalency Programme'. He congratulated the winners of Saakshar Bharat Awards 2014 and added that these awards would inspire further efforts in the direction of total literacy in India.
Smt Smriti Irani, in her address, said that we are celebrating this day essentially to raise public awareness on the significance of literacy. She said that literacy rate of 73% has been achieved but comparatively low literacy rates among women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and minorities are the foremost concerns which are being addressed. Along with literacy, efforts have been made to spread messages of electoral literacy and we have also done our bit in propagating financial literacy which she hoped will align with objective of 'Jan Dhan Yojna', recently launched by the Prime Minister of India for financial inclusion. Smt Irani also, urged up on all, to once again reaffirm resolve to achieve goal of fully literate India.
The President Shri Pranab Mukherjee also gave away 11 Saakshar Bharat Awards 2014 to State, Districts, Blocks, Gram Panchayats, State Resource Centre (SRC) and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) for best performance in the field of adult education.
Shri R. Bhattacharya, Secretary (School Education & Literacy), Shri Shigeru Aoyagi, Director, UNESCO, New Delhi Office & Representative to Bhutan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, and Shri Y.S.K. Sheshu Kumar, Joint Secretary (Adult Education) & Director General, National Literacy Mission Authority were also present on the occasion.
The function was attended by other dignitaries, guests and beneficiaries and functionaries of adult education programme.
MC/DS/-ILD
