Analyze carefully and you’ll find illiteracy at the center of a host of problems we face as a country. In fact, it is an obstacle that has stood in our way for quite sometime now. Though there certainly has been some marginal improvement in the literacy rate from 2001 to 2011 (based on the census report) but there is still a long way to go. Yes, miles to go before we sleep! 

Did you know that our country has the largest population of illiterate adults in the world, 287 million which is about 37% of the global total? That’s a huge number. Wouldn’t it be great if India actually lagged behind in this area? But the reality, sadly, is different. However, do you know why we are in this situation today? Well, the answer is simple really. Too simple in theory; quite complex in implementation maybe, but something that you and I are well aware of nevertheless. We, as a nation, haven’t been successful in taking education to every single child. We haven’t been successful in creating the ideal learning environment. And every uneducated child, if you must be reminded, eventually grows up to add to our already skewed literacy rate.

The importance to educate children assumes an even greater significance because like it or not illiteracy is at the center of every economic and social issue afflicting India. Of the several endeavors being made to fight this problem , today I’ll tell you about the learning on board campaign supported by Do right, an initiative by Tata Capital.

Learning on board is actually the brain child of Ajeet Singh, a good Samaratian, who started an honorable and innovative journey of doing right. His brainchild, the Varanasi Boat School, is aimed at providing a stress free environment to study and learn. If you walk around the banks of the river Ganga, you’ll find children either roaming around aimlessly or engaged in some form of labour. At an age when their focus should entirely be to learn and play, they end up whirling away time and in many ways their lives. So, this school, right at the heart of Varanasi, provides them an ideal environment to do what they as children are entitled to, to study, play and learn.

As you know and would probably understand that such initiatives cannot run merely on good intentions. Funds and your support are essential to the success of such programs and the Varanasi Boat School is no different. It doesn’t take much and it won’t take much if you and I join our hands together. From makeover of the interiors, a library, #scholarship, educational toys, stationery, a computer to a painting kit; it’s time to come together for a magical transformation.

Varanasi is known for it’s traditions. Come let’s make it known for this learning on board initiative as well. Think about how wonderful it would be?

Let’s do our bit. Trust me there’s nothing better in this world than doing something right, helping people. And what better way to start than this initiative where you and I support the future of our country, our world? Let’s set the boat of education on sail, and do it well.

Tell me then, you’ll join hands to help, won’t you?

Read more about it here.