World celebrates 50th International Literacy Day today

Today is International Literacy Day. The day is observed every year to emphasize the importance of literacy to individuals, society and communities. This year, the world is celebrating 50th International Literacy Day and the theme is, 'Reading the Past, Writing the Future'.

The day was established in 1966 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on governments and their partners, including in the private sector, to join forces for universal literacy and build peaceful, inclusive and



sustainable societies.

In India, the National Literacy Mission Authority has planned several functions. The National Literacy Mission was initiated by the government on 5th May, 1988 with the objective of eradicating illiteracy. In 1951, when first Census was conducted after Independence, the literacy rate of country was merely 18 per cent. 

However, in the last Census held in 2011, the country have achieved a literacy rate of around 73 per cent.The present national goal is to achieve literacy rate of 80 per cent by end of 12th Plan Period.