Literacy is one of the biggest needs of today. It is closely related to social and economic development. Keeping in mind the objective of ending illiteracy from the world, the Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization of the United Nations (UNESCO) decided to celebrate World Literacy Day on 8 September on the day of November 17, 1965.
The first World Literacy Day was celebrated all over the world in 1966 and since then the tradition of celebrating International Literacy Day on 8th September every year continues with the resolve to end illiteracy all over the world. It aims to underscore the importance of literacy among individuals and communities.
World Literacy Day is celebrated every year with a new purpose. The year 2009-2010 has been declared as the United Nations Literacy Decade.
In the context of India, the average literacy rate is even lower i.e. 74 percent. According to Rajasthan Census 2011, the literacy rate is 67.06 percent, which is 33rd at the country level. The female literacy rate is 52.66, and the male literacy rate is 80.51.
Literacy does not just mean reading, writing, or being educated. However, It can become the basis of social development by bringing awareness among the people about their rights and duties. It can play an important role in poverty alleviation. For equality between women and men, it is necessary that women also become literate.
United Nations figures show that there are currently four billion literate people in the world. Despite this, one in five adults is still illiterate and literacy is not even 50 percent in 35 countries. One billion people in the world still cannot read or write.
The World Organization estimates that out of 127 countries in the world, there are 101 countries that are far from achieving full literacy, including India. The literacy rate in India is below the global level and the literacy rate in India is still not satisfactory.
The literacy percentage in India is still well below its global level of 75 percent, according to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Index.
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