“Literacy is not about letters on a page, but the courage to live with dignity and values.”
Every year on September 8, the world observes International Literacy Day, first declared by UNESCO in 1966, to remind us that literacy is more than a skill—it is a fundamental human right and a tool for empowerment.
When I think of literacy, I don’t see it as just the ability to read or write. For me, literacy means awareness—it is education that touches not only the mind but also the heart. True literacy is about values, about knowing right from wrong, about having the courage to say no when something is unjust, and about standing tall with confidence.
I have lived this truth in my own life. As a child, I studied at a well-known school, yet my father hesitated to step into its gates. Not because he lacked wisdom, but because he couldn’t read or write English. The fear of a language, of forms and signatures, kept him away. I couldn’t bear to see that silence weigh on him. So, I began teaching him—letter by letter, word by word. Slowly, he learned to read. Then he learned to write. Today, he can confidently handle what once frightened him. That transformation was my first lesson: literacy is not about degrees or jobs, it is about dignity and self-belief.
Even now, as I guide children who struggle to read, I see the same spark. With phonetics, practice, and encouragement, they step into a new world where words open doors. And when a child reads aloud for the first time, eyes shining with pride, I realize once again that literacy is life itself.
This year, as the world observes International Literacy Day on September 8, 2025, I feel this message more strongly than ever. Since 1967, the day has reminded us that literacy is not just a skill but a fundamental human right. The theme for 2025—“Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”—makes us pause and reflect. Because in today’s world, literacy is no longer confined to books and papers. It is about understanding, questioning, and navigating the vast digital spaces we live in. It is about being wise enough to discern truth from falsehood, to engage responsibly, and to use knowledge as a force for good.
For me, literacy is not the end of education, but its beginning. It is the flame that lights values, empathy, and courage. It is the quiet strength that allows us to speak with clarity, to choose with honesty, and to live with dignity.
I carry one hope: may literacy not just fill minds with information, but fill hearts with wisdom.
