Literacy not only frees people from their age-old bondage, but also gives them the courage to explore new horizons. However, skilled a person might be in his or her work, illiteracy shackles the person and limits his or her chances of enjoying all the rights and privileges that are given to every Indian citizen.

The prevalence of illiteracy is a grassroots-level problem and it needs to be eradicated in a planned and systematic manner. Only when India achieves complete literacy can we hope to take our country towards a new dawn.

Turni Chakrabarti, XI-U
Delhi Public School, RK Puram

Literacy rules us from the beginning of this world. As we know Plato, Socrates and many of our Indian intellectuals gave us many scientific and philosophical treatises that we follow to this date.

Literacy has developed as the third eye of mankind. For every adventure we need some principles, calculations and practices that can come through only by literacy. The nation cannot be successful and rule the people without literacy. As we have seen there are developed nations, developing nations: the only difference between these nations lies in literacy.

In our country we are proceeding towards achieving high levels o literacy very quickly. But we should do more to reach the goal of maximum literacy. With our firm determination we can achieve this goalsoon.

Shaileen Kaur Sehgal, IX-F, St Mark’s Public Sr Sec School, Meera Bagh

Being ‘in power’ does not mean we are literate but being ‘literate’ does mean that we are in power to control ourselves. Until we are literate we’ll continue to be backward, we’ll continue to believe in superstition. We will not be able to cope with today’s fast-pace world. We'll be unable to enjoy our fundamental rights. Being literate gives us a chance to live luxuriously (if lucky enough), if not that at least life will be better than hell. Today’s world needs literate people. India has a large population, if it is made literate then there is no possibility that India will remain third-world country. We have to upgrade our education system so that students don’t go abroad for higher studies. Villagers have to give up old practices like bal vivah, etc.

We need to take education deep into India to progress.

Sandeep Sancheti, IX-A, The Indian School, Josip Broz Tito Marg

The definition of literacy is considered to be the ability to use language to read and write, sometimes listen and speak. In the modern context, the word refers to reading and writing at a level adequate for communication, or at a level that helps one understand and communicate ideas in a literate society, so as to take part in society.

While it might be difficult to gauge the degree to which literacy has an impact on an individual’s overall happiness, one can easily infer that an increase in literacy will lead to the improvement of an individual’s life and the development of society. This lack of widespread literacy hinders the further development of the nation. Therefore, literacy has a major part in the development of a nation. So my dear friends, as young active citizens we should share our knowledge with illiterate children as they are also the future generation just like us.

Jerin George, VIII-C, St Mary’s School, Safdarjung Enclave

Literacy in India is very necessary. Literacy itself is a word that says ‘power’. I don’t feel any illiterate person has got any power in his/her hand. Being literate is what India sees in the coming years. Literacy is a mode through which a person can earn a living for himself. The children of today know what literacy means. Literacy can lead to one’s advancement. We can only fulfill dreams of literate India. Being literate gives a self-confidence and also makes one feel what the future holds for him. Literacy in India will increase because we dream for it. Let’s move forward for a good cause.

“Padhega India,

To Badhega, India!”

Ayushi Srivastava, VIII-B
Cambridge School, Indirapuram

“The difference between a man and a beast is that man is educated.” Pythagoras said this. God made man as a different creature from others. Man has the calibre to take his own decisions. Man is a very intelligent animal. But it is man's work to recognise that power. And that power is literacy. Man has made so many inventions. These inventions are so great that our ancestors would have never ever imagined them possible. Literacy helps in human resource development. Literacy helps us to become great human beings. It is very important to increase the number of literate people. Only then our country can be successful and developed. A country depends on its citizens and the citizens depend on literacy. And this is the power of literacy.

Maarisha Mohini Upadhyay, VIII-D
Cambridge School, Indirapuram

What comes to one’s mind when one talks about literacy?

Literacy, the word, refers to reading and writing at a level adequate for communication. Literacy is very important; people need literacy skills in their day-to-day life either to read the daily newspaper, to calculate the dosage of medication or to be alert or aware of the various diseases and the precautions that need to be taken. Being able to read and understand is essential in life

Good literacy skills are likely to have higher self-esteem, better health, better jobs and higher wages than those with poor literacy skills. They are more able to take advantage of the opportunities that life may offer them.

At the economic and societal level, low literacy skills can be a barrier. The root cause of illiteracy is poverty and somewhere down the line we know it but we neglect it.

Nivedita Kakkar, IX-A, The Indian School, Josip Broz Tito Marg

The key to success is literacy and success drives us to the path of power. Therefore, literacy is itself a power. A literate person has a has sense of his rights and duties but the sad part is that the rate of literacy in India is quite low, especially in rural areas. People there follow traditional beliefs which give power to men to dominate over women.

Women as a result of illiteracy, allow men to be the masters of their lives and bear the ill treatment. Literacy is an actual treasure that will not be exhausted once acquired, but instead will increase its distribution. Literacy is a force that builds confidence and the sense of self-worth within us. It is not only important for our existence but also necessary for a prosperous and healthy life. Life is like an endless tree reaching the heavens and literacy is the chlorophyll present in the leaves which makes it look green and alive.