The National Education Day marks the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. It is celebrated every year on November 11, 2020, in India. He served the country from 1947 to 1958 as the first Minister of Education in the cabinet of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Maulana Abdul Azad
Born on November 11, 1888, Sayyid Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddon Al Hussaini, popularly known as Abul Kalam Azad, was an Independence activist and the leader of the Indian National Congress. He served the country as the first Minister of Education in independent India. He was committed to building the nation through education.
He played an important role in establishing IITs and other important institutions. He was elected as a member of the foundation committee of Jamia Millia Islamia. In 1934, he played an important role in shifting the campus of Jamia Milia Islamia to Delhi. Working as the Education Minister, he played his role in setting up of the Central Institute of Education in Delhi.
It became the Department of Education at the University of Delhi. He also contributed to the inception of the University Grant Commission in 1953 and insisted on the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science and IISc Banglore. Under his leadership first IIT in the country came into existence. It was found in 1951.
Announcement of the Ministry of Human Resource Development
Considering his tireless efforts for education, the Ministry of Human Resource Development decided on September 11, 2008, to celebrate his birth anniversary as National Education Day.
‘The Ministry has decided to commemorate the birthday of this great son of India by recalling his contribution to the cause of education in India,’ the HRD Ministry said in an announcement.
“November 11 from 2008 onwards, will be celebrated as the National Education Day, without declaring it a holiday, every year,” added the HRD ministry.
Significance and celebration
Students and teachers discuss the importance of literacy and the commitment of the country to all aspects of education. National education day is also a tribute to other contributions made by Maulana Abdul Azad in the field of the education system of Independent India.
