National Education Day 2024: Date, History, Significance, Facts & More
National Education Day 2024: It is observed on 11 November in India to honour Maulana Abul Kalam’s birthday. Let us have a look at National Education Day, its history, and the contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the education sector.
National Education Day 2024: India celebrates National Education Day on November 11 each year. The HRD Ministry declared this day to be observed to reflect on Azad’s accomplishments as India’s first education minister.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s contributions in the field of education, nation-building, and institution-building are exemplary. He is the key architect of education in India. He was India’s first Vice President and also the first education minister of independent India from 1947 to 1958.
National Education Day 2023: Current Theme
The subject of the 2023 National Education Day is “Embracing Innovation,” which highlights the significance of using cutting-edge and creative teaching strategies in the classroom.
National Education Day: History
On 11 September 2008, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) announced to commemorate the birthday of the great person by recalling the contribution of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in the field of education by celebrating 11 November as National Education Day. Since 2008, every year in India, National Education Day has been celebrated without declaring it a holiday.
According to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, schools are the laboratories that produce future citizens of the country. He is the person behind IITs and various other institutes in India. Now let us see in detail about Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, his early life, family, and work
About Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
His original name was Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin also known as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad or Maulana Azad. He was born on 11 November 1888 in Mecca now in Saudi Arabia, and died on 22 February 1958 in New Delhi.
Born on: 11 November, 1888
Place of Birth: Mecca, now Saudi Arabia
Father’s Name: Muhammad Khairuddin
Mother’s Name: Alia Muhammad Khaieuddin
Spouse: Zuleikha Begum
Education: Homeschool, Self-taught
Political Party: Indian National Congress
Publications: Ghubar-e-Khatir, India Wins Freedom
Awards: Bharat Ratna
Died: 22 February, 1958
Cause of Death: Stroke
Memorial: Abul Kalam Azad tomb, New Delhi, India
He was a freedom fighter, journalist, and reformer and committed to building a nation through education. He was a leader of the Indian National Congress and was elected as President of Congress in 1923 and 1940. He was awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously, India’s highest civilian honour in 1992.
In 1912, he started a publication namely “Al-Hilal” to attack the policies of the British Government and also focus on the problems faced by Indians at that time.
After gaining independence, he was appointed as India’s first Minister of Education and he was also inducted into the Constituent Assembly to draft India’s Constitution. During his tenure, various measures were taken to improve and promote primary and secondary education. He also focused on scientific education, established several universities, and promoted the avenues of research and higher studies. He worked for free education in India and wrote several poems in Urdu.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: Early life, Family and Education
His father was a Bengali Muslim of Afghan origin and a scholar. His mother was the daughter of a rich Arabian Sheikh. When he was young, his family moved back to India in Calcutta and there he received a traditional education at home from his father and other Islamic scholars. He was influenced by the Indian educator Sir Sayyid Ahmad Khan and he learned English without his father’s knowledge. He learned Arabic, Persian, Urdu, philosophy, mathematics, geometry, and algebra. When he was 11 years old his mother passed away. At the age of 13, he was married to young Zuleikha Begum.
Some Educational Institutions established by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
On 28 December 1953, he established the University Grants Commission (UGC).
He established IISc and the School of Architecture and Planning.
In 1953, he established the Sangeet Natak Academy.
In 1954, he founded Sahitya Akademy and Lalit Kala Akademy.
In 1951, he established the Indian Institute of Technology.
He also played a crucial role in the development of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, and the Faculty of Delhi University.
National Education Day is observed to commemorate the birthday of the first education minister of independent India and is observed in the whole country.
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