Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, today said that ULLAS was empowering learners with confidence, dignity and opportunities for meaningful participation in society. He added that the values of risk-taking and creativity must be inculcated in children to build a strong nation. The Minister was speaking at the national-level celebration of International Literacy Day 2026 in New Delhi.

The Minister emphasised the need to reimagine literacy and education as instruments of empowerment, creativity, dignity and active citizenship. He said that literacy must go beyond the ability to read and write and should encompass comprehension, application of knowledge, financial literacy and digital literacy. He stressed that education must ultimately contribute to sustainable development, economic well-being and the creation of active and responsible citizens.

Shri Chaudhary further emphasised on the importance of nurturing curiosity, critical thinking and creativity among learners, noting that 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. He called upon students, educators and citizens to think differently, question the status quo and contribute creatively towards building a new India.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister of Tripura, Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, said that the collective efforts of the State helped Tripura achieve a 95.6% literacy rate, crossing the Government of India’s benchmark for being declared fully literate. He added that the State Government was committed to reducing dropout rates to the minimum possible level within the next three to four years.

Minister of Education, Himachal Pradesh, Shri Rohit Thakur; Minister of Education, Uttarakhand, Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat; Minister of Education and ICT Department, Mizoram, Dr. Vanlalthlana; and Minister of School, Higher and Technical Education, Sikkim, Shri Raju Basnet were the Guests of Honour on the occasion.  Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DOSEL), Shri T. K. Anil Kumar; Additional Secretary, DOSEL, Ms. Archana Sharma Awasthi and senior officials of the Ministry participated in the celebration.

The Event was organised as part of the two-day celebration of International Literacy Day 2026, under the aegis of the Department of School Education & Literacy, focusing on the theme for this year, “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”. An ULLAS Mela will be organised tomorrow at the National Bal Bhawan. It will bring together participants from 29 States/UTs and provide a national platform for neo-literates, volunteer teachers, and other stakeholders to share their experiences, achievements, innovations and best practices.

The Union Ministry of Education is organising Literacy Fortnight from September 1-14, 2026 across the country with a host of activities including workshops, seminars, gram panchayat-level programmes, rallies, nukkad nataks, registration drives, social media campaigns and other outreach initiatives. The campaign will facilitate mass participation thereby inculcating a sense of ‘Kartavyabodh’ and ‘Janbhagidari’ in all citizens. This will in turn help attain the goal of making India fully literate under the vision of ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saakasharta Karyakam. The campaign will reaffirm the collective commitment towards achieving the vision of “Jan Jan Saakshar” and building a society where every individual has opportunities for foundational literacy and lifelong learning.