VI. Demography

Literacy in Boro Society :-

Every year 8th September is observed as "world literacy day" throughout the world. According to 2001 census the literacy in India was 65.38 percent. Accordingly in Assam 64.28 percent people were literates and 35.72 percent people were illiterates. Amongst them about 72 percent were male and 56 percent were identified as female.

Comparatively, the literacy rate amongst the tribals is lower than the general or the non-tribals. This is because of their reluctancy for modern education. School dropout is highest among the tribals in all grades and female literacy is also lower than the non-tribals. Unfortunately due to ignorance and reluctance about modern and higher education among tribals and partially due to apathy of government the picture of tribals is not yet encouraging.

The Boros are economically and educationally very poor and underdeveloped. The gloomy picture of illiteracy among Boros has been matter of very great concern. It is well known to all that education purposes a man or a woman for a way of life. It awakens a critical sense in him or her towards the society and towards the people.

Therefore a literate person is an asset of any developing or backward community. Literacy accelerates the pace of development of any society. Literacy promotes self-respect and confidence of one's capabilities. It results in better health awareness and care and increase people's participation in the developmental process of a society. A literate man is more aware of his rights and responsibilities and therefore helps to prevent exploitation towards him as well as towards society.

Now there is an increasing concern about the rise in illiteracy among the Boros. The majority of Boro population is rural and comprises of poor people. This is because a sizeable population among Boros has not been properly integrated into the country's economic structure. A large section of the Boro population are below poverty line and are denied the access to education and health services. The other infrastructures too have not been facilitated to them to the desired level as it should have been. As a result, there is very little development in the pocket areas inhabited by Boro population. It is to be understood that development is not something that may happen inspite of its population remaining illiterate and poor. Denial of the basic right to education to the large section of the society directly affects the development and progress.

In addition to above the utter need of the hour is the reformation to be brought about within Boro society. The lack of social consciousness of the common Boro folk are also putting the society far behind to its counterparts. Some bad habits and practices are sorrounding around Boro society which are out and detrimental in the way of development of the society. Boros being the agrobased society, almost the whole Boro population have to depend on agricultural products for their livelihood. But the matter of great concern one must have to conclude is that the work culture is declining alarmingly among Boros which is a big negative factor for the society. One of the ugliest parts from which Boro society is suffering a lot is widespread superstition.

Therefore, spread of literacy and education is the only way to development. The community like Boro, facing innumerable problems in all fields, language and literature, political, social and economic etc. can't afford to leave the large section of its population illiterate who remain passive participants in the development process. There is no doubt that the spread of education alone is the active agent of controlling the major ills that the Boro society is inflected with.

It is again reiterated that Boro community is basically an agricultural society. The social structures as well as economy of Boro people are based on agriculture. In a village economy the outlook of farmer is very important to society. Modern methods of farming and the use of modern equipments can increase their production to a great extent. Therefore, an educated farmer can revolutionize farming and contribute a great deal to the society's wealth. State capital combined with enterprise is essential for development of economic potentialities in underdeveloped or developing community like Boros.

Unfortunately, many Boro people in the agricultural sector are quite uneducated and ignorant about the advanced method of production. The process of development of rural based economy can be facilitated with the interest, initiative and active participation of the rural people. The role of government agencies in this regard is to prepare the needed ground for facilitating the process by educating the people and making them aware of the needs for development by imparting necessary training and making available needed inputs. Village reconstruction with self reliance and self sufficiency are the two principal goals to be achieved to meet the challenge of poverty and unemployment as well as to build up the society is also a must in this regard. It is only through utilizing the available man power resources in the best possible way that we can achieve a break through.

Our Indian constitution provides right to education to all Indian citizens. Recently through the 86th amendment of the constitution of India, education to all children between the age group of 6-14 was made compulsory. The "Sarva Siksha Abhiyan" is going on throughout the whole country. The government is using a lot of money for the success of this mission. Inspite of this the "Sarva Siksha Abhiyan" can't completely cover all remote areas predominantly inhabited by the backward classes like the Boros. But the governments mere declaration in papers and electronic media should come forward in practical field to implement such commitment among the backward communities. In fact, the development of Boro society will depend on the success or failure of its mission of eradicating illiteracy.