Illiteracy in India

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 obliterated by huge rise in population.

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

Illiteracy is maximum among Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe 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 set up thousands of primary school all around the country making literacy and 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 computer to be supplied free.

Unless all citizens are literate or educated they cannot ever read newspaper, circulars, notices, advertisements, 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 cell phone, T.V and computer.

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

A blind person cannot witness the captivating beauty of nature. Similarly, an illiterate person remains remains blindfolded to the 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.