The International Literacy Day is celebrated all around the world on 8th September. Fifty one years ago, on 17th September, 1965, UNESCO officially proclaimed 8th September as ‘International Literacy Day’ to actively mobilize the international community and to promote literacy as an instrument to empower individuals, communities and societies.The International Literacy Day is celebrated all around the world on 8th September. Fifty one years ago, on 17th September, 1965, UNESCO officially proclaimed 8th September as ‘International Literacy Day’ to actively mobilize the international community and to promote literacy as an instrument to empower individuals, communities and societies.
Education transforms lives and is at the heart of UNESCO’s mission to build peace, eradicate poverty and drive sustainable development. Its work encompasses educational development from pre-school to higher education and beyond. Themes include global citizenship and sustainable development, human rights and gender equality, whereas, the purpose of education is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Therefore, ‘Literacy’ is the core of sustainable development and not a luxury. It is a right and a responsibility too. So “EACH ONE TEACH ONE” is to be our motto.
Though the UT of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has attained one of the highest literacy in the country at 86.6%, but we have to work hard to achieve more and to ensure every single person becomes literate. Therefore, the International Literacy Day serves to remind us that wherever we are, how much we know, there is always more to learn.
Prof. Jagdish MukhiLieutenant GovernorAndaman and Nicobar Islands
