Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary on Tuesday called for reimagining literacy and education as instruments of empowerment, creativity, dignity and active citizenship, stressing that literacy must extend beyond the ability to read and write.
Speaking at the national-level celebration of International Literacy Day 2026 in New Delhi, Chaudhary said the ULLAS initiative was empowering learners with confidence, dignity and opportunities to participate meaningfully in society.
“Literacy must go beyond the ability to read and write and should encompass comprehension, application of knowledge, financial literacy and digital literacy,” he said, emphasising that education should contribute to sustainable development, economic well-being and the creation of active and responsible citizens.
The Minister also highlighted the need to nurture curiosity, critical thinking, creativity and risk-taking among children. He said education should equip young people not only with knowledge but also with the confidence and ability to apply it meaningfully in a rapidly changing world.
Calling upon students, educators and citizens to think differently and question the status quo, Chaudhary said creativity and innovation would be essential to building a strong and new India.
Tripura crosses literacy benchmark
Speaking at the event, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said collective efforts by the state had helped Tripura achieve a 95.6 per cent literacy rate, enabling it to cross the Government of India’s benchmark for being declared fully literate.
Saha said the state government was committed to bringing the dropout rate down to the minimum possible level over the next three to four years.
Education ministers from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Mizoram and Sikkim – Rohit Thakur, Dhan Singh Rawat, Vanlalthlana and Raju Basnet, respectively – attended the event as Guests of Honour.
Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, T. K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary Archana Sharma Awasthi and senior officials of the Ministry of Education were also present.
ULLAS Mela to showcase literacy initiatives
The event was part of a two-day national celebration of International Literacy Day 2026, organised by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the theme “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity.”
An ULLAS Mela will be organised at the National Bal Bhawan on Wednesday, bringing together participants from 29 States and Union Territories. The event will provide a national platform for neo-literates, volunteer teachers and other stakeholders to share their experiences, achievements, innovations and best practices.
The Ministry of Education is also observing Literacy Fortnight from September 1 to 14 across the country. The campaign includes workshops, seminars, gram panchayat-level programmes, rallies, nukkad nataks, registration drives, social media campaigns and other outreach activities.
The campaign aims to encourage mass participation and foster a sense of ‘Kartavyabodh’ and ‘Janbhagidari’ among citizens, contributing to the goal of making India fully literate under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the vision of “Jan Jan Saakshar” and build a society in which every individual has access to foundational literacy and opportunities for lifelong learning.
