The Problem of Illiteracy
Even after fifty years of independence, illiteracy remains one of the greatest problems of India. It poses a grave threat to our progress and development.
Illiteracy keeps people chained to ignorance and superstition and is an obstacle in the path of civilization. There are still many people who do not believe in modern medicine and prefer to go to the village quack who gives them charms and promises to work miracles. They refuse to take part in any family-planning programme, and believe that the more children they have, the more bread-earners there will be. They are not educated themselves, nor do they want to send their children to school. Apart from this millions dropout of schools every years without acquiring even basic literacy. In many families, the girl child is not send to school at all.
We must inculcate in our countrymen an awareness for the need to be literate. Those of us who are fortunate enough to attend school should teach those who do not have this opportunity.
Literacy creates consciousness of one’s rights and duties—it enables people to be better citizens. Only if people are literate can they work for the betterment and progress of their country. “Each one-teach one” should be the motto of every literate person in the country.
