On this day, 18th April, in 1991, Kerala was declared as 100% literate state. But our country is not yet fully literate.

Even after more than six decades of independence, India is lagging far behind in literacy among the many countries in the world. As per 2011 census report,  the literacy rate is only 74%, while the world average is 84%. India has also got the largest number of illiterate people in the world. Kerala is the first fully literate State while Bihar lags with only 65% literates.

There are many reasons for this sad situation. Mainly it is the neglect by the Central and state governments. Being literate, getting knowledge, is empowerment. The ruling class does not want the common people to become empowered, since it will be against its vested interest of exploiting the people.

The society has to make the government to act effectively to increase and make full literacy. More funds should be allotted to education, schools should be built in every villages, food to be supplied to poor children, books should be made available and so on. Education is the basic right of the people and the governments have to act.

In this connection, we have to congratulate  Kerala State, where in 1991,it was declared fully literate. On the basis of a people oriented planning by the Left Front Government and with the support and  voluntary efforts of tens of thousands of educated youth and workers for a period of more than one year, this great achievement could be made. This is possible by other states also.

A massive movement  is required to remove the darkness of illiteracy from this country of ours.