Uttarakhand becoming a fully literate state is a matter of pride for every citizen: Chief Minister
After Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, Uttarakhand becomes the 6th fully literate state in the country
Full literacy is not the destination, but a new beginning towards digital and financial literacy along with life skills: Chief Minister
Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in a program organized at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office on Tuesday to commemorate Uttarakhand becoming a fully literate state. On this occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated the neo-literates who successfully passed the examination of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
Congratulating the people of the state on Uttarakhand becoming the sixth fully literate state in the country, the Chief Minister said that this achievement is the result of the hard work and collective participation of teachers, students, neo-literates, volunteers, and everyone associated with the campaign. He added that achieving the goal of full literacy in Uttarakhand, despite its difficult geographical conditions and remote areas, is a testament to the strong willpower and collective strength of the state’s people.
The Chief Minister noted that under the National Education Policy-2020 and the ULLAS-Nav Bharat Literacy Program, Uttarakhand has achieved the honor of becoming a fully literate state. Following Mizoram, Goa, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, Uttarakhand is now the sixth fully literate state in India. He emphasized that this achievement further strengthens the resolve to make the state a pioneer in every sector, including education.
Congratulating the neo-literates, the Chief Minister said they have proven that there is no age limit for learning and it is never too late to move forward. Education instills confidence in every individual and opens doors to new opportunities in life. He pointed out that literacy is no longer limited merely to reading, writing, or signing one’s name. In changing times, understanding one’s rights and duties, digital and financial literacy, and essential life skills are also crucial components.
The Chief Minister highlighted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, continuous efforts are being made to make education inclusive and modern across the country. It is the Prime Minister’s resolve that no one should be deprived of education. An educated person not only transforms their own life but also makes a significant contribution to the progress of their family, society, and the nation.
The state government, he stated, is paying special attention to the all-round development of students along with improving the quality of education. Under the Nanda Gaura Yojana, eligible girl students are being provided with incentive amounts. Virtual classrooms and central studios are being set up in 500 schools across the state to ensure that students in remote areas have access to quality education. Currently, 189 Atal Utkrisht Vidyalayas are operational in the state. The Mukhyamantri Balashray Yojana is ensuring free education for orphaned children. Furthermore, efforts are underway to develop modern laboratories in 100 high schools and 100 intermediate schools each.
The Chief Minister remarked that achieving full literacy should be viewed not as the final destination, but as a new beginning. The next step is to ensure that digital literacy, financial literacy, health awareness, and life skills reach every citizen. Continuous efforts will be made to ensure that every citizen of the state can keep pace with evolving technology and use it to improve their lives.
Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand has achieved the significant milestone of becoming a fully literate state. He shared that around 25,000 volunteers contributed significantly to making this campaign a success. A new target has now been set to make the state 100 percent literate within the next six months. He mentioned that under the National Education Policy-2020, the national goal is to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50 percent by 2035, and Uttarakhand is rapidly progressing to achieve this target within this year itself. The Education Minister affirmed the state government’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to education, declaring that no school will be closed in a village even if there is only a single student studying there.
On this occasion, MLA Smt. Savita Kapoor, Additional Secretary to the Government of India Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi, Education Secretary Jyoti Yadav, Additional Secretary Smt. Namami Bansal, and other relevant officials were present.
