I find that the three major problems that plague the Indian society are education for all, bread for the hungry, and athletics for the alumni. Of these three illiteracy is the most serious since the foundation of every state is the education of its citizens. It is the essence of happiness, prosperity and good character.
Knowledge is power which saves us from ignominy and exploitation by unscrupulous persons. Literacy dispels the darkness of ignorance, hunger and backwardness. The state has been spending millions to educate the vast army of illiterates, but the goal of achieving 100% literacy still remains elusive, a rosy and distant dream. It is matter of great shame that India still leads the world in the field of illiteracy after 50 years of her independence.
We are celebrating our 50 years of independence with great pump and show. It is shown on official records that by 1997, about 36 crore people or 1/3 of our total population has become literate. But official figures tell us that literacy rate has been steadily rising from 18.3% in 1950 to 52.35 in 1997.
Kerala is the only state in India which can boast of cent percent literacy. But the majority of our people in states like Bihar, Orissa, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, J& K, etc. are still steeped in ignorance and backwardness, poverty and ill-health.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Education, according to Human Rights Commission, is man’s basic right. It is the only courses which make man self-reliant. No one likes to remain ignorant and illiterate in this electronic age. It is our unscrupulous politicians and corrupt bureaucrats who do not want to spread the light of knowledge among the poor and the down-trodden.
Now we are all set to enter the 21st century with a bang. But in real terms nearly half of our people are still leading a primitive life. How bad! How sad!