The international Literacy Day is being observed today. The objective of this day is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. This year the theme of this day is Literacy and Peace.

Literacy contributes to peace as it brings people closer to attaining individual freedoms and better understanding the world as well as preventing or resolving conflict.

AIR correspondent reports that a series of functions have been oraganised across the country to highlight the importance of literacy among the people. Various programmes, including Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Saakshar Bharat, are being implemented by the Centre to enhance the literacy rate in the country.

Since the inception of Saakshar Bharat in 2009, over 1.44 crore adults have been assessed and certified for their competency in literacy. The programme mainly focuses on women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities in rural areas.