On 8 September 2017, we will be celebrating 51st International Literacy Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The theme this year by UNESCO is ‘Literacy in a digital world’. The salient features of the program would be many but a couple of those are important to mention. Firstly, there will be felicitation to the dignitaries. Secondly, it will be the distribution of Saakshar Bharat Awards. The awards will be at state, district, Gram Panchayat, and NGO level. Such kind of recognition, in fact, brings a good amount of transparency. Also, it provides ample scope of recognition of talent at various levels. In fact, people celebrate this day across the globe. As a matter of fact, the background of this date is quite interesting.
Photo credit: focus2capture via VisualHunt / CC BY-NC-ND
On this day, in the year 1965 education was given a new meaning when the World Congress of Ministers of Education was meeting in Tehran for the first time. And the point of discussion was the program of education at the international level. On the basis of this, the UNESCO declared 8 September as the International Literacy Day in its 14th session in November 1966. Since then, most of the member countries celebrate this day every year with a core mission to enhance public opinion in favor of struggle against illiteracy. Rather it is a forum to educate people on the benefits of literacy. At the same time, it also works towards escalating the public awareness and the significance of literacy for the individual, society, and national development.
International Literacy Day Holds Mashal March
In India, it is the National Literacy Mission Authority that celebrating International Literacy Day every year since 1988. As a matter of fact, removing ill effects of illiteracy is one of the prime concern of our country at the national level since independence. One of the major steps in this regard was to create an environment in favor of adult education programs. The drive took a leap in 1996 with the addition of some new factors. Like, ‘Mashal March’ is one of such drives that involves school students and literacy organizations. Subsequently, we had the addition of more programs. Like, Rangoli/Drawing Competitions, Exhibitions, Conferences, Seminars, and Cultural activities for the literacy functionaries at the state level.
