Women can do just about anything in the world ‘As Well’, or ‘Even Better’, than their male counterparts.
Undoubtedly, most of us would agree with the above statement. However, equal computer literacy between the sexes wasn’t a thing, back in the day. There was even a study that claimed that the majority of computer users in the world were men.
In the year 2001, something happened that would challenge this Digital Divide, in an endeavour to set things right. It was then that a company, the National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT, as most of us know it), came to the forefront. That is, through its marking a day, called The World Computer Literacy Day. It’s a matter of pride for all Indians, that this company was none other than an ‘Indian’ one!
In this blog post, you will find answers to commonly asked questions, like ‘When is World Computer Literacy Day celebrated?’ Moreover, we have also curated for you a section of some wonderful World Computer Literacy Day Quotes, that will inspire you in a way like no other.
But first, let’s take a deep dive into the very origins of this glorious day, through an examination of World Computer Literacy Day History.
World Computer Literacy Day: History
When perusing the history of this significant day, we must first answer the question, ‘When is World Computer Literacy Day celebrated?’
It was on the 2nd of December, 2001, that World Computer Literacy Day was first celebrated. A tradition that continues to this day.
When the day was first observed back in 2001, it coincided with the Foundation Day of the computer behemoth, NIIT. That was indeed a historic day. One that saw Members of Parliament getting basic, hands-on training in computers, in the presence of the then-Prime Minister of our country, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee.
Further, that day also saw the unveiling of a Customized Postal Envelope, that was symbolic of the spread of computer literacy. While this initiative was first created to spread computer literacy across India, in time several world leaders began to take cognisance of it. Thus were sown, the seeds of World Computer Literacy Day!
World Computer Literacy Day: Significance
The ‘digital divide’ that was responsible for World Computer Literacy Day being established, was only amplified during the Pandemic.
This was the time, when education saw a major shift, to an Online presence. Consequently, students hailing from Rural areas suffer needlessly. All because they didn’t have access to things like the Internet and Laptops. All things, that are the very ‘basics’ that most of us in Urban areas, take for granted!
A day that was incorporated to bridge the digital divide between ‘Men and Women’, now saw itself go much further. To help empower pretty much everyone out there, by granting them the access that they deserved, to Technology. While NIIT might have been the forerunner in this cause, several other organisations have followed suit, and are working hard to provide everyone with an access to Technology.
What’s more, NIIT has even joined hands with schools in the most remote regions of our country, just so that people can become computer-savvy.
Note: What makes this endeavour even more special, is that it is primarily aimed towards young Girl Students. After all, that’s where it all began – the need to see girls get as computer-literate as their male counterparts.
To summarize, the following are the aims of World Computer Literacy Day, viewed from a larger perspective:
- Narrowing the gulf that exists between countries that are underdeveloped, and those that are technologically advanced.
- Spreading the awareness of Technology all over the world, amongst all kinds of people. The idea here is to get people to make the best possible use of Information Technology, as they possibly can.
Note: Again, the primary focus here is on spreading the awareness of computer skills amongst Teenagers, Women and Children.
World Computer Literacy Day: Importance
So, how does World Computer Literacy Day really benefit us? Let’s take a look!
- Promoting Education. Almost all of learning nowadays is acquired through the use of technology. All the more reason for people to get better oriented with Computers!
- A Boost to Charity. When talking about charitable causes, Technology is one that many people who are more fortunate, are donating to nowadays.
- Celebrating the Advances in Technology. Last but not the least, every special ‘Day’ necessitates the need for a ‘Celebration.’ This is one day, when we must ensure that we celebrate all the advancements in the digital world that have occurred in only a short span of time. That being said, we must also hope for plenty more advancements to follow!
World Computer Literacy Day: Quotes
The very fact that you’re reading this, implies that you are making use of Technology of some kind.
If that’s not enough to inspire you, here are some World Computer Literacy Day Quotes, that are sure to!
- ‘I think it’s fair to say that computers have become the most empowering tool we’ve ever created. They’re tools of communication, they’re tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user.’ ~ Bill Gates
- ‘The Internet could be a very positive step towards education, organisation and participation in a meaningful society.’ ~ Noah Chomsky
- ‘Access to computers and the Internet has become a basic need for education in our society.’ ~ Kent Conrad
- ‘Computing is not about computers anymore. It is about living.’ ~ Nicholas Negroponte
- ‘Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know.’ ~ Daniel J. Boorstin
- ‘No one messes around with a nerd’s computer and escapes unscathed.’ ~ E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly
We at EuroKids cannot stress enough the importance of celebrating World Computer Literacy Day. Technology has seen an unprecedented surge in the last few years, and it has only served to make our lives richer. If nothing else, we must mark this special day as one where we laud the efforts of all the brilliant innovators, who have made our lives easier.
