TODAY -

Towards An Enlightened Dawn
- International Literacy Day, 2013 -

Abdus Salam, Sr. MCS *

A file picture of UNESCO International Literacy Day 2011 Poster
A file picture of UNESCO International Literacy Day 2011 Poster :: Pix :: Wikipedia



Literacy is much more than an educational priority - it is the ultimate investment in the future and the first step towards all the new forms of literacy required in the twenty-first century.

- Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General


8th September is celebrated as International Literacy Day throughout the world to promote worldwide literacy.

It was on 8th September 1965 that the World Congress of Education Minister met in Tehran, the capital of Iran organized by the UNESCO to discuss the problems of illiteracy for the first time at the international level. The Conference took a number of important decisions to deal with this problem on global scale. Since then, this date has become historic and is being observed as the International Literacy Day to arouse the interests, the conscience of the people to the handicap that the illiteracy imposes on them and instilling them a determination to learn.

International Literacy Day was first observed on September 8, 1966. On International Literacy Day, individuals, organizations, and countries throughout the world renew their efforts to promote literacy and demonstrate their commitment to providing education for all and making the world 100% literate.

Let us have an insight into some alarming and shocking facts relating to literacy and education across the globe in general and India and Manipur in particular. The statistics are as follows:

  • In 2011, global literacy rate is 84.1% (88.6% male and 79.9% female)
  • Almost 774 million of the world's adults (aged 15 and over) do not know how to read or write (about two-thirds of this numbe, 493 million(63%) are women
  • One in every 5 adult is illiterate
  • Almost 123 million youth of which 76 million are female do not know how to read or write.
  • 75 million children do not attend school
  • More than half of adult illiterate population (53%) live in South and West Asia, 24% in sub-Saharan Africa, 12% in East Asia and Pacific, 6.2% in Arab States, 4.6% in Latin America and Caribbean.
  • Less than 2% of world's illiterate population live in either Europe, North America or Central Asia.(Source :UNESCO Institute of Statistics, 2013).
Talking about India, we have 74.04% literacy rate as a whole. Male literacy rate is 82.14% and 65.46 % is the female literacy rate. The gender gap is 16.68%. Amongst the states Kerala has the highest literacy rate of 93.91% followed by our neighbour Mizoram with 91.58%. Amongst UTs. Laxadives lead the list with 92.28% followed by Daman & Dieu with 87.07%. Bihar has the lowest literacy rate of 63.82%(Source: Census 2011)

Now coming to Manipur, our literacy rate 79.85%, male 86.49% and female73.17%. Gender gap is 13.32%.

In a bid to make the nation a literate country, the Government has started several programmes relating to literacy and education before and after indepenedence.One of the most successful programmes is its flagship programme "Saakshar Bharat" meaning Literate India. Saakshar Bharat was launched on the occasion of the International Literacy Day on 8th September, 2009 in New Delhi by our Hon'ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. This mission is the world's largest adult education programme that envisages making 70 million adults literate by 2012. The pogramme has been extended upto March 31st 2017.

The Saakshar Bharat strives to create a literate environment that bolsters and sustains a literate society thereby providing ample opportunities for the continuous improvement in the level of adult literacy, specially belonging to focus groups and in focused areas. The programme aims to strengthen adult education among women and other disadvantaged segments of the society by extending educational options to those who have missed the opportunity to pursue formal education due to some or other reasons, and now feel a need to learn for education of any type such as basic literacy skills, basic education, vocational education, physical and emotional development, practical arts, applied sciences, sports and recreation, among others. The target of the mission is :

  • To achieve 80% literacy, 70 million non-literates will be made literate with special focus on adolescents.
  • To reduce gender disparity, 60 million out of the target of 70 million, will be women.
  • To reduce social disparities, within the overall target of 70 million adults, 14 million SC (10 million women and 4 million men), 8 million ST (6 million women and 2 million men) and 12 million Muslim (10 million women and 2 million men) adults will be covered.
  • To minimise regional disparities, the programme will strive to achieve 100% literacy in low female literacy districts in rural India.


The outcome of the above targets could be the following:

  • Reduce the level of adult female illiteracy in India by half.
  • A positive impact on the living conditions of neo-literates.
  • Further strengthening of democratic institutions at the grassroot level.
  • Significant impact on human development indices.


Nevertheless, despite significant achievement of the mission during 9th & 10th plan period, 2011 census had revealed 300 million illiterate adults (15+) in the country and gap between male and female literacy still continues at around 17% and inter-state disparities range between 330% & 80% it continues to be an area of national concern.

In Manipur Saakshar Bharat Programme has covered 4 districts-Thoubal, Chandel, Senapati and Tamenglong where the female literacy rate is below 50% as per Census-2001. So far the State Literacy Mission authority has made 55,841 illiterate women literate against the target of 77,263 till March 2013.

As we now know the statistics and facts about literacy, we now know how far we are to attain the 100% literacy rate. Although Government of India is leaving no stone unturned to educate the masses and classes, yet it needs support from every section of the society, specially from the educated masses. The Government, in its endeavour to make the nation a literate one, is seeking help and coordination from its educated citizens to help it triumphs in its literacy mission. Lastly, it is an appeal to our beloved brothers and sisters particularly the students and teaching community of the State to voluntarily support in this mission of eradicating illiteracy in the State by contributing in their skills and knowledge and sparing a few hours of their time to educate their next door neighbours who have missed the bus of educating themselves in their childhood.



Abdus Salam, Sr. MCS
Member Secretary, State Literacy Mission Authority
Department of Adult Education, Government of Manipur



* Abdus Salam, Sr. MCS wrote this article for e-pao.net and sent by Dr Md Raheijuddin Sheikh(Shamu) Associate Professor, Department of Physics D M College of Science, Imphal, Manipur, India. The sender may be contacted at mrsheikhshamu[AT]gmail[DOT]com
This article was posted on September 07, 2013.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.


LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • From Earth Day to World Environment Day
  • COVID-19: Update 13 June 2025 : Manipur
  • JJM brings clean drinking water to CCpur
  • M.Tech CSE Admission at Assam University
  • Save your nails from damage this summer
  • No takers for Moreh cops' distress call
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Implement Hill Areas (Chief Rights) Act 1967
  • Manipur fields shape India sport future
  • How to Speak Soft and Still Win
  • Thokchom Khoiba : mosquito killer machine
  • Looking for wealthy groom, question you too
  • When is the net ban going to be lifted
  • Stir speculations nix school reopening plan
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Fire safety: preventive measures
  • Peculiar plants & incidents unique to Manipur
  • Artificial Intelligence & environment
  • Cutting off the nose to spite the face
  • Relief for daily wagers as shutdown called off
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • The question of territorial integrity of Manipur
  • Animal Farm's allegory in dynamics of Manipur
  • Their hands deserve books, not burdens
  • JNV empowers Tamenglong students
  • We can do better- people with HIV live healthy
  • Bandh: The Cry Beneath the Silence :: Poem
  • Cutting short 240 hours general strike
  • Shutdown lifted, curfew eased, mobile ban
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Review of 'Rain Stopping in Manipur'
  • Highway blockades trigger soaring prices
  • Voice of the Masses :: Poem
  • Congress may claim if none
  • Learning new skills related to AI
  • Delhi, Raj Bhavan: Losing the plot ?
  • CBI arrest after Governor clemency assurance
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • Appeals Home Minister not to renew SoO
  • Self-defence :: Poem
  • When will humans learn nature's lessons ?
  • Forgotten voices of drug users in Manipur
  • High-yielding RC Manichakhao-1
  • PC Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • TSE Editorial Blank Space : June 09 2025
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Micromanager vs Leader
  • Valedictory Function of NE NSS Festival
  • WED at various campuses in Manipur
  • World Environment Day 2025
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • Sarangthem Nirupama at Miss Universe India
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • SPONSORED ADS