Speakers at a post-rally discussion yesterday stressed the need to attain cent percent literacy for overall development of the country. "Total literacy is the precondition to make people skillful human resources along with freeing the nation from unemployment problem," they said. Rajshahi District Administration and Non Formal Education Bureau jointly organized the discussion at Shilpakala Academy auditorium here marking the International Literacy Day- 2017.

Different government, non-government and voluntary organizations are observing the day with a fresh vow to make the nation free from the curse of illiteracy.

To mark the day, the district administration organized a colourful rally, discussion meeting, film show and essay competition for the students.

A large number of people, including different government, non- government and development organizations, participated in the procession which was brought out from Moni Bazar crossinng and ended at the meeting venue after parading some of the main thoroughfares.  Commissioner of Rajshahi division Nur-Ur-Rahman and Principal of Rajshahi College Professor Habibur Rahman addressed the discussion as the chief and special guests respectively with Deputy Commissioner Helal Mahmud Sharif in the chair.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Shalahuddin and Divisional Deputy Director of Department of Primary Education Abul Khayer and District Education Officer Rafiqul Islam also spoke.

During the keynote presentation, Professor Dr Tasiqul Islam, retired principal of Shah Mukhdum Degree College, narrated the aspects of attaining hundreds percent literacy and put forward a set of recommendations on how to achieve the cherished goal.

The speakers said primary teachers and social workers can play vital roles in gearing up the literacy campaign throughout the country to achieve the millennium development goals.

They stressed on creating more awareness among the people to make the literacy campaign a success.