Aizawl, Mizoram – Mizoram has officially been declared India’s first fully literate state under the ULLAS – Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram, marking a significant triumph in the nation’s ongoing literacy mission. This monumental achievement was lauded by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday, who highlighted it as a proud moment for both the state and the country.
In a post on X, Minister Pradhan commended the collaborative spirit and unwavering determination of the people and Government of Mizoram for this success. He emphasized that Mizoram’s accomplishment serves as an inspiring example for other states to emulate, fostering a nationwide pursuit of inclusive and lifelong learning in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.
The formal announcement was made during an event in Aizawl, attended by Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, and other senior officials. Data from the 2023-24 Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) reveals Mizoram’s impressive literacy rate of 98.2 per cent, significantly surpassing the 95 per cent target set by the ULLAS initiative. The Ministry of Education hailed this as a testament to the dedication of the populace and the relentless efforts of volunteers in driving adult literacy.
The state’s School Education Department, operating through Samagra Shiksha and the New India Literacy Programme, spearheaded this initiative. A dedicated Governing Council and Executive Committee under the State Literacy Mission Authority provided oversight, with the State Project Office managing the ground-level implementation.
To facilitate learning, the State Centre for Literacy (SCL) under SCERT developed Mizo-language literacy materials, ‘Vartian,’ along with an English version tailored for the Lawngtlai district. Supplementary resources, including the learning book ‘Romei’ and the teaching guide ‘Margdarshikha,’ were distributed to learners and volunteer educators.
Over 3,000 illiterate individuals aged 15 and above were identified by Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators, with more than 1,600 expressing eagerness to learn. Classes were conducted in diverse settings, including schools, community halls, local libraries, and even private residences, by a dedicated team of 292 Volunteer Teachers across various districts. A senior official from the Mizoram School Education Department attributed the state’s success to sustained community involvement and the unwavering commitment of its educators.
Mizoram now stands as the inaugural state to receive formal recognition as fully literate under the ULLAS initiative, a national program designed to promote literacy through a framework of inclusive and lifelong learning.
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