SPEECH ON LITERACY

“Literacy is one of the greatest gifts a person can receive because, nobody can take this gift from you”. As quoted by one of an intellectual.

A very Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, well I feel in today's perspective, literacy does not mean about the writing and reading capabilities only. It has gained a much broader meaning. It aims to guide people towards awareness and the change which is needed in order to achieve a better way of living. A systematic change for a better world can be achieved only when we are aware,conscious of our abilities or in other words we are literate.

However conventionally, the word 'literacy' means an ability to read and write. In a civilized society, every citizen should learn how to read and write. If not, he is called an illiterate person. An illiterate person has to face many practical difficulties in life.

As he is unable to read or write, he cannot read a letter addressed to him by his near and dear ones. He cannot calculate his own income and expenses, nor can keep his own accounts. Morally and psychologically, he feels insecure and weak, and hence suffers from an inferiority complex.

Moreover,Job opportunities are denied to an illiterate person.Therefore, every person in the society should try to become literate.

The Indian Government is trying to do a lot in the field of spreading education through its Sarv Siksha Abhiyaan, nevertheless a lot is still to be achieved. Our Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi believes that India can progress only if all its people are educated.

Development of a Nation strongly depends upon the masses.Education alone can remove the impediment and make a Nation self -reliant.Educated masses makes a strong Nation

Earlier, the education system in India was very bad in which only the fortunate people were given good education in schools however low cast people were not allowed to enter to the school. As such this system created a big gap between the literate and illiterate people of the society. According to the survey in 2008, it was found that almost 28% of the world’s illiterate people are from India alone. India still has almost 45,000 villages without a primary school.

Friends, I personally feel that education need not be spread formally but informally as well. Many channels of communication has opened up through which education can be spread like the social media sites comprising facebook,twitter,linkedin and online through emailing, through telephone, whatsapp et al. I feel when the question arises with respect to transfer of Knowledge or Gyan, we can adopt any one of these or its combination and help in spreading education.

Furthermore,you also must be equally aware of the online system of education which is gaining prominence in India. So friends, in keeping with the objective of the Rotary Club that is enhancement and progress of our community. Let us all make an endeavor and do our part by spreading education and eradicating illiteracy.I would also like to sincerely request the ladies herein to make a sincere effort towards educating other ladies and girls of their neighborhood . It is firmly believed that behind every successful man is a woman.Hence, our ladies should be equally aware and educated.

Our very own historical scripts proves beyond doubt that behind many historic events, the leading ladies were behind it.I would like to mention the immense contribution of few ladies in making a strong India. Behind Ashoka the great, his mother Dharma was there. Shivaji's mother jijabai was his source of inspiration. Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, who took upon herself the task to oust the British forces.There are many more examples.

So it is very important that our ladies are equally educated and literate. I firmly believe that educated ladies makes a better housewife, a better mother and a better person professionally. With the advent of modernization, it is the need of hour that our ladies are educated which will ultimately empower them and make them self-reliant.

Last but not the least, let us all take a bold inspiration from a young girl, Malala Yousafzai, an education campaigner, who is globally known and we all should learn from her fight for the right to have education. Her never say die attitude demonstrates to the World at large that education is so very important. It is your basic right.She fought the dreaded Taliban millitants single handedly for her right to have education.Her extraordinary example is the most convincing demonstration of the importance of fighting and winning this struggle; moreover,it shows why this is such a worthy cause.

So friends, let us all fulfill the dream and vision of our great leaders which said “Padhega Bharat toh Badhega Bharat”.

Let us all fructify the great vission of Rotary Club in spreading education and eradicating illetracy.

Thank you so much!