The Unseen Power of a Written Word
I often think about the hands that create our beautiful block prints. These hands, skilled and patient, tell a story of heritage passed down through generations. But what about the stories that can only be understood through a written word, a digital message, or an online lesson? The power of those stories, the power of knowledge, is truly transformative.
Every year, on September 8th, we observe International Literacy Day. This day, established by UNESCO, reminds us that literacy is not just a skill; it’s a fundamental human right, a key to unlocking potential, and a bridge to a better life. In 2025, with the theme “Promoting literacy in the digital era,” this call becomes even more urgent. We’re not just fighting traditional illiteracy; we’re confronting a new divide—the gap between those who can navigate the digital world and those who are left behind.
The Evolving Landscape of Literacy
The numbers are a stark reminder: 754 million adults worldwide still cannot read or write, and two-thirds of them are women. The COVID-19 pandemic only amplified this challenge, pushing millions more children into a state of educational vulnerability. But literacy today is more than just reading a book. It’s about:
- Understanding Digital: Can we safely navigate the internet, use digital tools, and discern truth from misinformation online?
- Connecting Globally: Can we use technology to learn, communicate, and participate in a rapidly evolving world?
- Empowering Ourselves: Can we use digital literacy to access opportunities, secure livelihoods, and advocate for our rights?
The SA Fab Ethos: Lighting the Path to Empowerment
The spirit of International Literacy Day resonates deeply with the core values of SA Fab. My journey in building this brand has always been about more than just selling clothes. It’s about:
- Empowering Communities: Just as literacy empowers an individual, our commitment to ethical practices empowers our artisan community in Bagru. When artisans can read and write, they can manage their finances better, understand contracts, and even use digital tools to connect with the wider world.
- Preserving Knowledge: The craft of block printing itself is a form of literacy—a visual language passed down through generations. But combining this traditional knowledge with modern understanding, including digital skills, opens up new avenues for growth and sustainability.
- Building Dignity: Literacy instills confidence and self-reliance. It gives a voice to the voiceless. When individuals, especially women, gain literacy, they gain agency—the power to make informed decisions about their health, their children’s education, and their futures.
India’s Digital Leap: A Blueprint for Progress
India has made incredible strides in digital literacy. Programs like PMGDISHA have reached millions in rural areas, teaching essential digital skills and demonstrating that large-scale change is possible. This blend of traditional wisdom with technological innovation is a powerful model for the world.
Your Call to Action: Weaving a Brighter Future, One Word at a Time
As we observe International Literacy Day 2025, I invite you to join me in taking action, however small, to foster a more literate and equitable world:
- Educate Where You Can: Share knowledge. Encourage learning in your home and community. Read to a child. Help an elder navigate a smartphone.
- Support Digital Inclusion: Advocate for better internet access and digital training in underserved areas. Every voice for digital inclusion helps bridge the divide.
- Choose Consciously: Support businesses, like SA Fab, that invest in the holistic well-being and empowerment of their communities. Understand that every purchase can contribute to a cycle of economic stability that in turn supports access to education.
- Embrace Lifelong Learning: The digital world changes constantly. Let us all commit to continuously learning, adapting, and questioning, ensuring we remain digitally literate and critical thinkers.
A Legacy of Empowerment
Literacy, in all its forms, is the bedrock of a thriving society. It allows us to read our history, understand our present, and write our own future. This International Literacy Day, let us pledge to ensure that the thread of knowledge reaches every hand, illuminates every mind, and empowers every individual to live a life of dignity and possibility.
From my heart and the entire SA Fab family, let’s champion literacy, for a truly enlightened and connected world.