National Education Day, Importance of National Education day

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National Education Day of India is celebrated on 11 November every year since 2008 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first education minister of independent India (15 August 1947 to 2 February 1958).

How was National Education Day Started?

Every year on 11 November, National Education Day is observed to honor the birth anniversary of India’s first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. National Education Day was officially announced by the Ministry of Human Resources Development in 2008. Every year, Maulana Azad is honored on this day by making people remember their contributions made by him. This day is also known as Rashtriya Shiksha Diwas.

Who was Maulana Azad?

Born in Saudi Arabia in 1888, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad grew up to be one of the leaders of the Indian Independence movement in the late 20th century fighting against British Rule.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was an avid reader and began to run his own library along with a debating society. He was very much interested in journalism and started his journey at a very young age. He published his first poetic journal in 1899 with a poem named Nairang-e-Aalam. In his late teens, he entered journalism and began to publish an Urdu newspaper in Calcutta named Al-Hilal. It is believed that this newspaper was used as a weapon to attack the British politics.

National Education Day 2022: Theme

The theme of National Education Day 2022 is “Changing the course and transforming education”

National Education Day 2022: Importance

National Education Day embarks on the journey of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad in India. His contribution gives significant importance today and inspires students nationwide.

Azad was among the core founders of Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi and contributed to the foundation of the Indian Institute of Technology campuses across the country. He also paved the way for India’s highest education Regulator – University Grants Commission.

There are various institutes that have been named in the honor of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and these are Maulana Azad Medical College in Delhi, Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad, the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology in Kolkata, many others.

Many cultural and literary academies were also established under Azad’s tenure like Sahitya Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, etc.

It is believed that it was his efforts that made India realize the importance of education and why it is every citizen’s basic right. He was named as Mir-i-Karawan by Jawaharlal Nehru because of his intellectual skills and outstanding personality.

Some Inspirational Quotes by Maulana Azad

Here are the top 10 motivational quotes by the education minister Maulana Azad:

Be more dedicated to making solid achievements than in running after swift but synthetic happiness
You have to dream before your dreams can come true
To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal
Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model
The education imparted by heart can bring revolution in society
Do we not realise that self-respect comes with self-alliance
Teaching by tongue can be perspired but by good deed can stay stronger
Climbing to the top demand strength, whether it is to the top of Mount Everest or to the top of your career