Information Literacy and Indian Scenario Dr. H.S. Chopra PhD. (History); PhD.(Library and Inf. Science) Head, Bhai Gurdas Library, Guru Nanak Dev University,Amritsar [email_address]

Information was at every time during every age. Human being could not have survived such a long journey without information. Information went on orally from generation to generation. Man was never bereft of information. Information is as important as air, water, food and shelter. We are passing from Information Society to Knowledge society.

Information was at every time during every age.

Human being could not have survived such a long journey without information.

Information went on orally from generation to generation.

Man was never bereft of information.

Information is as important as air, water, food and shelter.

We are passing from Information Society to Knowledge society.

Information has brought a change in every aspect of society. Every year trillions of documents relating to various disciplines appear all the world over. Presently 5 billion websites are available and these consist of 30 billion pages. Wikipedia has more than 28 lac articles Even on a micro subject there is a plenty of information. Inspite of glut of information most of the people are not information literate.

Information has brought a change in every aspect of society.

Every year trillions of documents relating to various disciplines appear all the world over.

Presently 5 billion websites are available and these consist of 30 billion pages.

Wikipedia has more than 28 lac articles

Even on a micro subject there is a plenty of information.

Inspite of glut of information most of the people are not information literate.

In India 26% people are living below poverty line. 35% people are uneducated. India has approximately 340 Universities, 18,000 colleges and millions of schools. Information provider should critically examine the authenticity, accuracy and originality. Source of information should be reliable. Information seeker as well as information provider should be aware of the copyright problem.

In India 26% people are living below poverty line.

35% people are uneducated.

India has approximately 340 Universities, 18,000 colleges and millions of schools.

Information provider should critically examine the authenticity, accuracy and originality.

Source of information should be reliable.

Information seeker as well as information provider should be aware of the copyright problem.

User should be aware of economic, legal and social issues. ‘Information for all’, is the aim of UNESCO. Millions of books are printed every year. E-books,e-journals,e-documents etc. are available. India is on number one in Asia and on number six in the world for publication of books.

User should be aware of economic, legal and social issues.

‘Information for all’, is the aim of UNESCO.

Millions of books are printed every year.

E-books,e-journals,e-documents etc. are available.

India is on number one in Asia and on number six in the world for publication of books.

Indian Scene India is a land of villages India has 5.9 lac villages More than 70% people live in villages Lack of internet, well equipped schools, libraries. Non-availability of information centers, training centers, communication skills centers.

India is a land of villages

India has 5.9 lac villages

More than 70% people live in villages

Lack of internet, well equipped schools, libraries.

Non-availability of information centers, training centers, communication skills centers.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constitute about 24 .40% of total population. This segment of society is underprivileged and had suffered in every sphere of life for the last hundreds of years In India male literacy 75.85% and female literacy was 54.16% in 2001. In rural section females are still deprived of education.

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes constitute about 24 .40% of total population.

This segment of society is underprivileged and had suffered in every sphere of life for the last hundreds of years

In India male literacy 75.85% and female literacy was 54.16% in 2001.

In rural section females are still deprived of education.

Information literacy is an adopted term of UNESCO. Information literacy is as essential as freedom of expression and right to information. After 1990, information infrastructure has generally improved in corporate sector as well as in public sector in India. In order to remove literacy gap information literacy is must.

Information literacy is an adopted term of UNESCO.

Information literacy is as essential as freedom of expression and right to information.

After 1990, information infrastructure has generally improved in corporate sector as well as in public sector in India.

In order to remove literacy gap information literacy is must.

Libraries both Academic and Public can play a great role. However, the public libraries which cater all types of readers need regular financial support. Initiatives like TeNet, E-Chaupal, Infothela etc. can be very helpful.

Libraries both Academic and Public can play a great role.

However, the public libraries which cater all types of readers need regular financial support.

Initiatives like TeNet, E-Chaupal, Infothela etc. can be very helpful.

Steps for Information Literacy Defining the problem and asking relevant good questions to ascertain accurate and updated information. Information seeking strategies. Selecting and evaluating resources. Organizing and restructuring information Communicating the results of the research and finally the evaluation of the use of information and satisfaction.

Defining the problem and asking relevant good questions to ascertain accurate and updated information.

Information seeking strategies.

Selecting and evaluating resources.

Organizing and restructuring information

Communicating the results of the research and finally the evaluation of the use of information and satisfaction.

Role of Internet,UGC and Faculty Internet is providing 40% information free of cost. INFLIBNET is providing free access to about 5000 e-journals to more than 100 universities. Teachers can play a great role in making the students ‘Critical Thinkers’, Curious observers, creators and users of information.

Internet is providing 40% information free of cost.

INFLIBNET is providing free access to about 5000 e-journals to more than 100 universities.

Teachers can play a great role in making the students ‘Critical Thinkers’, Curious observers, creators and users of information.

Responsibility should be shifted to students for developing questions, strategies to search for answers. Independent problem solving capacity. It will develop life long learning. Even at workplace one has to keep up with rapid changes. There is need to educate all the people There is no dearth of literature Information Literacy Measures

Responsibility should be shifted to students for developing questions, strategies to search for answers.

Independent problem solving capacity.

It will develop life long learning.

Even at workplace one has to keep up with rapid changes.

There is need to educate all the people

There is no dearth of literature

All efforts are being made by States, Center and NGO’s to remove the stigma of illiteracy. The day is not afar when all Indians will be information literate.

All efforts are being made by States, Center and NGO’s to remove the stigma of illiteracy.

The day is not afar when all Indians will be information literate.