September 08, 2017: Literacy implies welfare of mankind and age cannot put obstacles in the process of learning. However imparting knowledge should not sole object, it is equally important to ensure development skills of newly literate people. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar stated this in Agartala after inaugurating a programme organized to mark 51st International Literacy Day.
Several programmes were conducted in Tripura to celebrate the International Literacy Day. In the central programme, held at Agartala, Manik Sarkar highlighted achievement of Tripura in the field of literacy. He said, “At present, literacy rate stands at 97.28 per cent whereas it was 87 per cent in 2011. Around 17000 – 18000 people in the age group of 50-60 or above in the State are yet to become literate”. Sarkar also said, his Government is working to achieve success in post-literacy Abhiyan.
Elaborating further on achievements, Sarkar said, “Along with literacy drive, steps were taken to empower people with skill development programmes. Around 10 thousand newly literate persons are undergoing several skill development related trainings in 25 centers across the State”. He also mentioned that many newly literate persons had taken loans and became self sufficient.
Manik Sarkar emphasized on educating and empowering womenfolk and stated that school dropouts among the girl-students were coming down after Government had distributed free bicycles, food and books.
Saying that a conducive ambiance is required for achieving more success to eliminate curse of illiteracy and incidences of domestic violence, Sarkar also stressed on living in peace and harmony shunning caste, creed and religion related differences.