Modern era is the era of intellectuals. Present society is also known as I-society representing “Intelligence” Or K-society representing “Knowledge”. In this I Or K -society majority of population is able to read and write, Or we can say is literate. In common terms as used in day-to-day life we can say that majority of people are educated. Government enunciated Right of Children to free and compulsory education Act, 2009 to ensure quality elementary education to children irrespective of their caste and economic background. Free and compulsory education to children within the age group of six to fourteen years is provided. Books, uniform and lunch meals are provided to students in Government schools up to middle standard free of cost. The introduction of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao”campaign in 2015gave boost to girl education as well as women empowerment through education. Both boys and girls are studying in schools in large numbers. Presently, the citizens below poverty line also tryhard to send their children to school by hook or crook. According to 2021 census, literacy percentage of India was 74.04% which had increased to 77.07% in 2022 according to the report published by “National Survey of India”. Literacy rate in the state of Jammu and Kashmir according to the 2021 census is 77.12% . Increase in the literacy percentage of nation as well as the state is an optimistic factor for upliftment of society which need to be acknowledged and appreciated at personal and social level.

But does such proliferation in literacy rate indicate that our society has been uplifted from barbarity, ignorance and darkness? Does the increase in literacy figures allude that our society is morally, ethically well developed? Does this increase in literacy rate signify the same achievement in terms of education rate of the nation also? If we ponder over all these queries, and analyse the society, we will come to conclusion that this achievement is only and only in terms of literacy not in perspective of education. Literacy and education are two distinct terms. Literacy defines the ability of a person to read or write while as education determines the overall life activities of a person, it determines the entire well being of a person in terms of social, ethical, literal, human sense. Compiling of piles of degrees contributes to literacy only, unless it serves the real purpose of education which is to generate quality of humanity, kind nature filled with humane and humanity, sympathy and affection towards others. The fundamental aim of education is to extirpate barbarity, injustice, inhuman nature from all sects of society and to liberate society from plunges of darkness in each and every possible manner. Literacy can be considered as a means to achieve education as it makes one capable of reading and writing which in turn allows the person to become aware of manners, religious principles, ethical values by going through different religious scriptures , ethical writings, and moral value books.
Education in actual sense is a way to mend ourselves and our lives as whole by altering our thoughts to positivity. It teaches to follow path of respect and reverence , guides to a way to serve love and affection. It helps to get rid of inhumane acts from society and presents a way to lift society from shadows of ignorance. It helps in the development of mannered communication skills with elders and youngsters. But unfortunately we are far away from the achievement of real purpose of education and in our society there are number of people who are illiterate but educated and the ones who are literate but uneducated in real sense. We have confined education to literacy and economy. Our view of successful education is wholly and solely associated with economy, jobs and money. One who owns handsome salary, high income is respected and the money his / her parents have contributed for his/her studies is considered fruitful. At the same time if other person posses much better manners, owns humanity, honesty, is more character but lacks handsome salary, Govt job, he doesn’t receive the similar esteem. In fact he will receive low esteem, scorns and scoffs for not being a wealthy person which makes the person regret the time and the money spent on achievement of prestigious degrees and real education is considered squandered.
Many people with piles of degrees, some serving the noble sectors as doctors, teachers, professors, engineers, businessmen lack the basic education. In spite of such experience, exposure there are people so called educated ones who are unaware of real meaning and purpose of education. The rude, robust way of communication, the hatred which is being spread in the society, showing low esteem to people with low economic position by the educated personals is a vulnerable threat to society because these people are considered the guiding agents of society. It generates an illusion among the people that these are transforming agents of society and believe that they will lead to success and upliftment. But such persons become the drowning agents of society by deluding the people at individual and community basis. If we ponder over the situation in broader sense, in certain places we come across not only one or two such persons, but whole societies and communities are living in the age old darkness and aberration of uneducatedness.
They lack the knowledge of real education as whole and aren’t willing to come out of this blindness and ignorance of literate Uneducatedness Or educated illiteracy. But it is utmost need of present hour to make ourselves and our nation capable of acquiring higher standards not only in literacy but in education as well. Being educated is more important than being literate. Everyone should be aware of the fact that being literate doesn’t mean being educated. Education teaches us to live in harmony with each other, comprehend the problems, shortcomings of each other and search for a solution in collaborative manner.
Real purpose of education is to serve the community with love, affection, humanity, to uproot hate and jealousy from the society. It’s aim is to develop human nature in real sense in human beings and guide allto path of righteousness, sympathy, kindness. Treating everyone with reverence should be main motive of an educated personnel. Religious principles of all religions of the world also share the teachings of righteous education. Acquiring proper education will aid to develop religious society as well. Respect should be given to each and every irrespective of caste, gender, status , economy. Let us all try our best to achieve education to mend our lives in every manner, not only to fulfil the basic needs of food and shelter. Serve the community with love and passion, eradicate the hatred, inhumane acts from society. Let us all work together to transform our thinking from age old ancient times of ignorance to civilized one. Treat everyone with sympathy and respect. Interact with each other in kind and lucid way. Live life in harmony and peace by following social, religious principles and try to make our society and nation an educated one in real manner.

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