LITERATE??
'Literacy', a term with different connotations indeed. Generally, the ability to read and write is taken as the haphazardly accepted definition of literacy. But can we claim to be literates just because we are able to understand and figure out the letters and scripts of a language? Certainly "no" in my opinion. Being a 'literate' requires some more stuff. Nowadays as a part of the efforts made by the state and central governments, myriad number of are programmes are implemented. But it is pathetic to see that once a person gets the ability to read and understand a language, he claims himself as a 'literate'. A literate person without the ability to think as a literate and who is not able to fix himself in the society is as good as an illiterate; perhaps more reverse the desired effect be. The ability to ' think as a literate' is the key idea. Indeed knowledge is practiced learning. There is no point in being a literate and dwell in the same narrow-minded avenues. Many of our people are deceived as they bore the title 'literate'... When they sign for a loan, or say when they approach any service providers.
Literacy is all about taking and accepting responsibility for all our actions. Its also about identifying ones own position and also help others in recognizing theirs.We need not run for exemplary persons for referance. Any person who imparts his or her knowledge to others can be taken as a paradigm. Some one who live and let the others live can also mean a 'literate'.As in any other context, walking-the- talk is as much important in proving to be a literate.
Right. I feel that in our education system , 'thinking' is not given the emphasis that it deserves.
ReplyDeleteHi anju... thought provoking writing. To ‘think as a literate’ is your emphasis I guess. And also accepting responsibility for one’s actions seems to be the other. Imparting knowledge becomes the paradigm for you.
ReplyDeleteIt is often not the illiterate but the government who is keen on the ‘haphazardly’ definition of literacy. For the government has to flag these minimal basic capacities as one of its rousing success story. 74% is our literacy rate. The gender gap in literacy, though improved, has a long way to go. The definition of those under Below Poverty line (BPL) is equally problematic. The much talked about growth rate of India is an indicator of not even a quarter of its population. You might want to take a look.
By accepting responsibility I think you are suggesting that we should not let ourselves be challenged by circumstances. And by conscious thought translated into action one can rewrite her destiny. I agree completely. But maybe she should have access to basic amenities (food, drinking water, electricity, housing etc.) to go further and reflect on her circumstances. And one day reach the realm that you envisage. But this is a long journey for every poor person.
The point about imparting knowledge is something that we all should think about as University students. Being in that privileged ten percent of those below 25 years of age in India acquiring higher education, I think we have a bigger responsibility to participate in the nation building.
We can think of ways by which we can contribute to the Kasaragodan community and learn from the community, a fertile site for learning different languages and exploring mutual give and take between cultures. This place can teach us a lot. And there is plenty to learn.
Enjoyed reading your post, Anju. You're correct: to be literate involves more than recognizing characters on a page. That's a given. To be literate involves being socially conscious, reading what's around you and writing (acting) in life. We read for life, we write for life. Good point, especially, about thinking, too. That is, good readers and writers of society and of works of literature must be critical thinkers who propagate action in life. What good is a piece of literature if the values it shares aren't put into action? Therefore good reading involves good thinking which comes before good writing or action. Perhaps this can be called informed action or literate action.
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