National Education Day: Honoring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Architect of Indias Future

New Delhi, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : National Education Day is observed annually on November 11 to honor Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a pivotal figure in shaping India’s educational landscape. Born on November 11, 1888, in Mecca, Azad was a prodigious talent. By the age of 12, he was managing a library, a reading room, and a debating society in Kolkata. At just 14, he launched his own literary magazine, ‘Al-Misbah,’ editing articles from scholars twice his age.

From a young age, Azad displayed a progressive mindset. He broke free from his family’s conservative traditions, adopting the pen name ‘Azad,’ which means free. He later became India’s first Minister of Education and a prominent freedom fighter. His visionary approach to education is celebrated on his birthday each year.

As he matured, Azad utilized journalism as a powerful tool against British rule. His newspapers, ‘Al-Hilal’ and ‘Al-Balagh,’ ignited a sense of nationalism among the youth, leading to their ban by the British government.

Azad envisioned a free India not only liberated from colonial rule but also equipped with a robust educational foundation. He believed that schools are laboratories for shaping the nation’s future. When India gained independence in 1947, it faced immense challenges, including the pain of partition, widespread poverty, and a literacy rate of just 12%. Amidst these difficulties, Azad assumed the role of the first Education Minister, laying the groundwork for India’s educational system over the next 11 years.

He advocated for free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14. Azad firmly believed that a nation could not progress unless every citizen, particularly women, was educated. He also emphasized adult education, ensuring that those who missed out on schooling in their youth could still become literate.

The world-class educational institutions we take pride in today are a testament to Azad’s foresight. He recognized that a new nation must be both technically proficient and culturally rooted. To promote technical education, he strengthened the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and oversaw the establishment of the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur in 1951. Additionally, he founded the University Grants Commission (UGC) in 1953 to maintain high standards in higher education.

Azad’s contributions were not limited to science and technology. He played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Indian art, literature, and culture by establishing institutions such as the Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi. He was instrumental in the expansion of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore and Delhi University.

In 2008, the Indian government designated November 11 as National Education Day to perpetuate Maulana Azad’s legacy. This day serves not only as a government initiative but also as an opportunity for introspection.

Azad envisioned an India where education transcends mere book knowledge. He aspired for it to cultivate character, foster scientific thinking, and nurture responsible citizens. His father, Maulana Khairuddin, was a Bengali Islamic scholar who moved to Mecca after the 1857 uprising, with the family returning to Kolkata in 1890.