The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has said that time has come to put in renewed vigour and concerted efforts to improve the country's literacy rate. Addressing a function on International Literacy Day in New Delhi today, the President said the implementation structure has to be strengthened by involving government agencies as well as reputed organizations in the non-government and private sectors. Mr Mukherjee said the government has to gear up the machinery at all levels.

The President also gave away Sakshar Bharat National Literacy Awards to authorities of states, districts and Gram Panchayats for their outstanding contribution towards literacy mission.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Human Resources and Development MM Pallam Raju said the government's aim under Sakshar Bharat programme is to achieve 100 per cent literacy rate for women of the country in the age group of 15-35 by 2017.