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New Delhi: With the aim of promoting education as a fundamental right, every year November 11 is celebrated as National Education Day in India. The day is dedicated to the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's first education minister.
Maulana Azad played a significant role in India's freedom struggle and made great contributions to the education sector after independence. To remember his contribution to the education sector, the government has decided to celebrate National Education Day on November 11. Let's explore the history and significance.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was one of the prominent freedom fighters who worked tirelessly for independence. He was born in Mecca on November 11, 1888. He received his early education in Arabic, Persian and Islamic studies. His interest in Western philosophy, science and literature shaped his thinking.
A journalist and thinker, Azad founded the Urdu weekly Al-Hilal in 1912 and later Al-Balag, which was used as a voice against colonial rule. His contribution to India's independence movement made him the President of the Indian National Congress in 1923 and later. After independence in 1947, Maulana Azad was appointed as India's first Education Minister. He focused on primary education, adult literacy and technical training.
The National Education Day has been celebrated across the country on November 11 every year since its inception in 2008. As a key cabinet member in Prime Minister Nehru's government, Azad served as the Union Education Minister from 1947 to 1958. All educational institutions across the country celebrate November 11 with various programs like seminars, essay writing competitions, and workshops.
Maulana Azad made great strides in improving the education sector in India. He played a significant role in the establishment of prestigious institutions like the University Grants Commission (UGC), Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore. To promote technical and research education in the country, he contributed heavily to the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
