President Pranab Mukherjee Monday asked the private sector, especially the corporate houses, to contribute towards eradicating illiteracy in India.
"I call upon the state governments, panchayats, corporates, private sector and the civil society to work together and spread literacy," Mukherjee said at a function here to mark International Literacy Day.
The president said Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and other disadvantaged groups have much lower literacy levels. "We need to focus on them," he added.
International Literacy Day was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco). Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.
