Last updated on August 29th, 2023 at 05:07 pm
November 11th is National Education Day! A day to celebrate the importance of education and all of the incredible things that it can help achieve. Education is the key to unlocking potential and improving the world, and we should all take time on National Education Day to reflect on its importance. Thank you, educators, for all that you do!
1. What is National Education Day?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad served as the first education minister of independent India from 15 August 1947 until 2 February 1958. Every year, India commemorates its birth anniversary on National Education Day. Every year, National Education Day of India is celebrated on the 11th of November. The Ministry of Human Resource Development announced on 11 September 2008 that they have decided to commemorate the birthday of this great son of India by recalling his contribution to the cause of education in India. From 2008 onwards, November 11th will be celebrated as National Education Day and declared a holiday.
2. What is the importance of National Education Day?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s journey in India begins on National Education Day. The relevance of his contribution today inspires students nationwide. Azad was one of the core founders of Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi and contributed to the foundation of Indian Institute of Technology campuses across the country.
He also paved the way for the University Grants Commission – India’s highest education regulator. There are many other institutions that have been named in the honor of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, such as the Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi, the Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad, and the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology in Kolkata. Under Azad’s tenure, many cultural and literary academies were established, such as Sahitya Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, etc.
In India, November 11 is a day when people highly appreciate and celebrate his contribution to the education sector. Azad is credited with raising awareness of the importance of education and helping to establish it as a basic right for all citizens in India. Jawaharlal Nehru referred to him as Mir-i-Karawan because of his intellectual skills and outstanding personality.
3. How is National Education Day celebrated?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad is remembered nationwide today on National Education Day in schools, colleges, institutions, and universities. All schools and institutes organize seminars, workshops, essay writing, symposia, elocution competitions, and rallies with banners, slogans, cards, charts, etc. as per guidelines by University Grants Commission.
The purpose of these activities is to raise awareness of the importance of education for every individual.
4. What is the history of National Education Day?
The idea of the National Education Day is to honor Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for founding and establishing education in the country and to work towards eradicating illiteracy from India. This great son of India’s birth centenary was marked by the Human Resource Development Ministry of India declaring November 11 as National Education Day in September 2008.
Maulana Azad, an academician and freedom fighter, realized that illiteracy was the primary hurdle in the way of development of a country and thus worked to eradicate it. Maulana Azad’s vision was achieved through the establishment of several institutions, such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and the University of Calcutta. One of Maulana Azad’s many contributions was the establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), with the first IIT being inaugurated in 1951.
The IITs are currently considered the epitome of excellence in technical education not just in India, but around the world. It is only fitting that we credit India’s education system to this great leader by commemorating his birth anniversary every year as National Education Day.
Here are some FAQs about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad:-
1. What is the real name of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad?
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s real name is Maulana Sayyid Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad.
2. When did Abul Kalam Azad born?
Abul Kalam Azad was born on 11 November 1888.
3. When did Abul Kalam Azad die?
Abul Kalam Azad died on 22 February 1958.
4. Which award was given to Abul Kalam Azad?
The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India was given to Abul Kalam Azad(1992).
