India Honors Maulana Abul Kalam Azad on National Education Day Anniversary

Every November 11, India commemorates the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, its first Education Minister post-Independence, during National Education Day. The observance acknowledges his significant role in shaping India's education system and strengthening academic institutions following Independence. Born on November 11, 1888, Azad served as Education Minister from 1947 to 1958 and played a crucial part in advocating scientific, technical, and accessible education. His vision of education as a foundation for social progress and national development has been an integral aspect of the day's celebration. Schools, colleges, and educational institutions across the country engage students in activities that highlight the importance of education in personal development and nation-building.

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Apart from his administrative work, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a freedom fighter, journalist, scholar, and educationist. He gained recognition through his literary works, journalism, and activism against British colonial rule. His association with the Indian National Congress and the Khilafat Movement brought him closer to Mahatma Gandhi and other national movement leaders. Before Independence, he was a member of Jamia Millia Islamia's foundation committee in 1920, an institution that later moved to Delhi.

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As Education Minister, Azad focused on universal access, compulsory primary education, and opportunities for women and children. He oversaw the establishment of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1953 and spearheaded the development of institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jamia Millia Islamia, Central Institute of Education in Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru. His educational vision combined modern scientific knowledge with India's cultural and intellectual traditions, emphasizing that education should prepare young people for their responsibilities as citizens and beyond employment. The first National Education Day was observed nationwide on November 11, 2008.