Himachal Pradesh Becomes India's Fourth Fully Literate State
Himachal Pradesh has been declared India's fourth fully literate state, achieving a literacy rate of 99.3%, which surpasses the national benchmark of 95%. The announcement was made under the ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) programme. Himachal Pradesh now joins Mizoram, Tripura, and Goa in achieving this distinction. The state's literacy rate has seen a dramatic rise from just 7% at the time of India's independence, marking a significant developmental milestone for the region.
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Government investment in education, universal access to primary education, community involvement through schemes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, and grassroots campaigns were key. The state focused on both quantitative expansion and qualitative improvements in schooling, ensuring schools reached remote areas and promoting gender equality in education.
Himachal Pradesh, with a 99.3% literacy rate, surpasses other fully literate states like Mizoram, Tripura, and Goa. Kerala, often cited as a literacy leader, historically had high literacy, but Himachal’s recent rise is considered particularly impressive due to its challenging terrain and starting from a much lower baseline.
Rising literacy has empowered the local population, improved governance participation, increased employment opportunities, and enhanced resilience during crises. For women, higher literacy has led to better health awareness, financial independence, and greater involvement in decision-making.
The state faced challenges such as difficult mountainous terrain and a dispersed rural population. These were addressed by ensuring school accessibility in remote areas, strong government policies, community participation in education management, and targeted initiatives to bridge gender disparities.