National Education Day is celebrated in India on November 11 each year to emphasize the importance of education and recognize efforts toward making quality education accessible to all. This day honors the legacy of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister, born on November 18, 1888, and posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992 for his significant contributions to the nation.
Azad was a freedom fighter, scholar, and visionary who laid the foundation for India’s modern education system. He was instrumental in establishing key institutions, including the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the University Grants Commission (UGC), and India’s first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur, supporting advancements in higher and technical education.
Under his leadership, various cultural and educational institutions, such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Sahitya Akademi, Lalit Kala Akademi, and Sangeet Natak Akademi, were founded to promote Indian culture and research. Azad’s vision extended to inclusive education, focusing on universal primary education, adult literacy, and education for the rural poor, particularly girls.
Azad saw education as a fundamental right and a vehicle for social progress, advocating for it as a tool for national empowerment. His contributions continue to influence India’s education policy, emphasizing inclusivity and progress.
