New Delhi, Sept 8 : Emphasizing the role of literacy and education in overall human development, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil today said that literacy and education confer a wide set of benefits not only on individuals and families but also on the communities as a whole.

In her speech on the occasion of International Literacy Day here today at Vigyan Bahwan, the President said, “ Social benefits arise on account of better knowledge and awareness that literacy gives. This helps in improving implementation of social welfare programmes, fighting social evils and in building tolerant societies.”

Patil said that literacy empowers people economically and politically. “ But, the most important are human benefits as literacy enhances an individual’s self esteem and confidence levels”, she said.

The President called upon the Central Government and State Governments to give high attention to literacy as a vital instrument for achieving inclusive growth and sustainable development.

She has also called upon all civil society organizations to support the National Literacy Mission.

“Enhanced literacy will positively impact the delivery of our manifold development programmes under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, National Rural Health Mission, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission,” Patil said, and added that literacy will also impact the functioning of the panchayati raj institutions and self-help groups. (ANI)