“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Today India is celebrating the 'National Education Day' to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. Every year Education Day is celebrated on 11 November across the country.
Abul Kalam Azad was the first Minister of Education in the Indian government Minister of Human Resource Development following Independence. His full name was Maulana Abul Kalam Ghulam Mohiuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin AlHussaini Azad.
He served as the Education Minister of India from August 15, 1947, to February 2, 1958.
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” -Aristotle
On September 11, 2008, The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) announced that Abul Kalam Azad has contributed to the field of education in India. So November 11 would "commemorate the birthday" of this great son of India and will be celebrated as Education Day.
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad believed that primary education should be imparted in the mother tongue. He not only emphasized the education of women but also proposed to make education compulsory for all children till the age of 14 years. Abul Kalam Azad urged free universal primary education as well as vocational training and technical education for all children.
During his tenure as the Minister of Education, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi were formed in 1950. All this happened under Azad's leadership. Also in 1949, in the Central Assembly, Abul Kalam Azad emphasized the importance of modern science.
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.” -George Washington Carver
To increase the level of education, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad established many schools, colleges and universities.
Education plays a vital role in every person's life. The life of a person depends upon his education. There have been many people all over the world, including India, who have given up their whole life for education. One of them was Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, former education minister of the country. In whose memory National Education Day is celebrated.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.