New Delhi, Sept 9 (INB) Literacy and education need to be reimagined as instruments of empowerment, creativity, dignity and active citizenship, Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary said. Addressing the national-level celebration of International Literacy Day 2026 in New Delhi, Chaudhary said on Tuesday, according to an official statement.
“Literacy must go beyond the ability to read and write,” the minister said, stressing the importance of comprehension, application of knowledge, financial literacy and digital literacy. Education should ultimately contribute to sustainable development and economic well-being while creating active and responsible citizens, he said. Chaudhary also emphasised the need to nurture curiosity, critical thinking and creativity among learners, saying young people should be equipped not only with knowledge but also with the confidence and ability to apply it meaningfully in a rapidly changing world. He called upon students, educators and citizens to think differently, question the status quo and contribute creatively towards building a new India. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said the collective efforts of the state had helped it achieve a literacy rate of 95.6 per cent, crossing the benchmark set by the Centre for being declared fully literate. Saha said the Tripura government was committed to reducing the dropout rate to the minimum possible level over the next three to four years. The two-day International Literacy Day celebrations are being organised by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the theme “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”, according to the Ministry of Education. An ULLAS Mela will be organised at the National Bal Bhawan on Wednesday, bringing together participants from 29 states and Union Territories. Neo-literates, volunteer teachers and other stakeholders will share their experiences, achievements, innovations and best practices at the event. The ministry is also observing Literacy Fortnight from September 1 to 14 across the country, featuring workshops, seminars, gram panchayat-level programmes, rallies, street plays, registration drives and social media campaigns. The initiatives are aimed at encouraging mass participation and supporting the goal of making India fully literate under the ULLAS — Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, the ministry said.
