The document discusses literacy in rural India. It defines literacy as the ability to read, write, and use basic mathematics according to UNESCO. Statistics show the literacy rate is 71% in rural areas versus 86% in urban areas, and male literacy exceeds female literacy. The importance of rural literacy is discussed from social, cultural, economic, and political perspectives to advance development. Digital literacy initiatives are also outlined to bridge access gaps.

1. LITERACY IN RURAL
INDIA

2. INTRODUCTION
Literacy is traditionally understood as the
ability to read, write and use arithmetic
(Arithmetic is the elementary branch of
mathemetics). In modern terms it has
been expanded to include the ability to
use language, numbers, images,
computers and other basic needs to
understand, communicate, gain useful
knowledge and dominant symbol
system of a culture.

3. DEFINITION
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has drafted a
definition of literacy as the "ability to identify,
understand, interpret, create, communicate,
compute and use printed and written materials
associated with varying contexts. Literacy
involves a continuum of learning in enabling
individuals to achieve their goals, to develop
their knowledge and potential, and to
participate fully in their community and wider
society."

5. STATISTICS
• Literacy rate in rural areas was pegged at 71 per cent last year, compared
to 86 per cent in urban areas, while among the age group of seven years
and above, male literacy rate was found higher than the female literacy
rate, according to NSSO survey .
Among the age group of seven year and above, the male literacy rate was
registered at 83 per cent and the female literacy rate of 67 per cent, an
official statement said.
Similarly, it was found in the rural areas, nearly 4.5 per cent of males and
2.2 per cent of females completed education level of graduation and
above, while in urban areas 17 per cent of males and 13 per cent of
females completed this level of education.

7. SWAMI VIVEKANANDA-
“if the poor boy cannot come to
education, education must go to him”

8. Literacy v/s Education
1. Literacy and education are termed as same thing but literacy has got indirect relation
with education. Literacy is about acquiring the skills and learning, while education is about
applying the skills and learning for benefit of other people, society or country.
2. Literacy cannot make a person wise but education makes a person wiser and provides
with the understanding of distinguishing between right and wrong.
3. The people who can read and write but use abusive and foul language are literate but
definitely not educated.
For example:- The Swachh Bharat Campaign by our Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The literate people understood the term of the campaign well enough but all of them did
not necessarily take active part in the campaign. However the educated ones took active
participation in the campaign to bring about changes.
4. The basic difference between educated and literate people is the vision of the goal and
the dream that they posses.

9. The whole purpose of education is to
turn mirrors into windows

11. IMPORTANCE OF RURAL LITERACY
• Social Reasons— The Indian
Constitution provides for
several rights and principles of
citizens, of which the right to
education is a major aspect. To
understand the significance
and functioning of these
rights, modern education is a
must.
• Cultural Reasons— Today’s
culture is advancing fast. To
utilize the benefits of these
advancements, education is a
prerequisite. For example, a
rural farmer who has access to
modern agricultural tools like
fertilizers, threshers and
harvesters must be educated
to take advantages of these
tools. Education can affect the
intellectual life of people and
help them to contribute
towards the advancement of
the society.

12. • Economic Causes — Villages
play an important role as
segments of the national
economy by producing
agrarian, industrial and
other goods, for national as
well as international
markets. As such, it is
quintessential to have an
accurate understanding of
the intricate structure of
global economy and for that
the rural masses need to be
educated.
• Political Reasons —Due to
the existence of the
Panchayati Raj, it is
important for rural people
to have adequate education
so that they can better
understand the programs
and principles of the ruling
bodies and elect worthy
representatives. To work as
a competent member of
any political association, it is
necessary for any individual
to possess certain
qualifications.

13. Digital Literacy
India will soon launch a Rs 1,800 crore ($265 million) Digital
Literacy Mission for 60 million people in rural areas as
another initiative to bridge the gulf between those who
have access to and can use computers and the Internet and
those who don’t, a top official has said. “The government
will spend Rs 300 each on training 60 million people, which
would total around Rs 1,800 crore,” said Dinesh Kumar
Tyagi, chief executive officer, of CSC e-Governance Service
India, a holding company to fund and monitor India’s
common services centres scheme.

14. Vedanta Drives Literacy In Rural
India
Close to the heels of International Literacy Day – Vedanta
Limited has extended its support to the Indian
Government’s marquee literacy & education initiatives
across the country.
Under the Vedanta Bal Chetna Anganwadi (VBCA)
programme, Vedanta runs over 3,100 Anganwadis in
partnership with the Indian government across several
parts of India. In Fiscal Year 2015-2016, about 71,000
children availed preschool level education in these child
care centres. To provide access to higher education,
Vedanta runs 16 schools and colleges. Over 211,000
students studied in these schools in Fiscal Year 2015-
2016.

15. KOFI ANNAN-
“literacy is a bridge from misery to
hope”

16. BIBLIOGRAPHY
• www.weforum.org
• http://economictimes.india
times.com/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wi
ki/Literacy_in_India
• http://eserver.org/
• http://www.iitk.ac.in/
• https://medium.com/@ash
abhavancentre/importance
-of-rural-education-in-india

17. Lets join hands for education
impartment