86 year old woman in Maharashtra, India  becomes literate at 86, showing age is just a number

Anasuya Bai Wadekar from Maharashtra, India becomes literate at 86 showing us it's never too late to make a beginning.
The benefits of foundational literacy (reading and writing) ripple into every single one of these areas. Here is a breakdown of the profound benefits of literacy, from the personal to the global.
1. Cognitive and Brain Benefits
Strengthens Neural Pathways: Reading is a complex cognitive task that activates multiple areas of the brain simultaneously. It creates new white matter, which improves the brain's ability to process information quickly.
Prevents Cognitive Decline: Studies show that regular reading in middle and old age reduces the rate of memory decline and lowers the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease by up to 32%.
Improves Focus and Concentration: In a world of constant notifications, reading a book requires sustained attention, effectively training your brain to focus for longer periods.
2. Economic and Professional Advantages
Higher Earning Potential: Globally, each additional year of schooling (which is literacy-based) increases an individual's future earnings by an average of 10%. Literate adults have access to higher-skilled, better-paying jobs.
Workplace Adaptability: Literate workers are better at adapting to new technologies, reading safety manuals, writing coherent emails, and following complex instructions, making them indispensable to employers.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: For developing nations, improving literacy rates by just 1% is associated with a 2.5% increase in labor productivity and a 1.5% rise in GDP per capita.
3. Psychological and Emotional Well-being
Empathy and "Theory of Mind": Reading fiction, in particular, forces you to inhabit the minds of characters with different backgrounds and beliefs. This builds empathy, helping you understand and connect with real people in your life.
Stress Reduction: Reading has been proven to reduce stress by up to 68%—more effectively than listening to music or taking a walk. It acts as a form of "cognitive escapism" that lowers heart rate and eases muscle tension.
Self-Esteem and Agency: The ability to read and write gives individuals the confidence to advocate for themselves, whether that means writing a formal complaint, reading a lease agreement, or understanding a medical prescription.
4. Social and Civic Impact
Informed Citizenship: Literacy is the bedrock of democracy. A literate population can read political manifestos, understand ballot measures, fact-check news sources, and distinguish between misinformation and credible journalism.
Health Literacy: Literate individuals are better able to manage chronic diseases, understand dosage instructions on medication, navigate the healthcare system, and adopt preventative health measures, leading to longer life expectancies.
Intergenerational Impact: Literate parents are more likely to read to their children, create language-rich home environments, and help with homework. This passes the benefits down, creating a "literacy cycle" that lifts entire families.
5. The Unique Power of Informational and Digital Literacy
In the 21st century, the ultimate benefit of literacy is critical thinking. Being literate isn't just about decoding words; it’s about asking:
Who wrote this, and why?
What evidence supports this claim?
Is this source biased?
This type of literacy protects you from scams, propaganda, and echo chambers. It gives you the mental tools to navigate the overwhelming flood of information on the internet and make decisions based on facts, not fear.

In short: Literacy is the key that unlocks every other door. It doesn't just help you read a book; it helps you read a room, read a contract, read a person's emotions, and read the news with a discerning eye. It is the single greatest tool for human freedom and self-improvement.
Hope we get to see more and more Anasuyas all over the world.

By Jamuna Rangachari