NEWS

National Education Day of India is celebrated every year on 11 November to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

About

• Born on 11 November 1888 and died on 22 February 1958.
• Senior Muslim leader of Indian National Congress during Indian independence movement.
• Commonly remembered as Maulana Azad (word Maulana is honorific meaning ‘Our Master’) and he had adopted Azad (Free) as his pen name.
• First Minister of Education of Independent India.
• Played important role in foundation of Jamia Millia Islamia at Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh.
• Rose to prominence through his work as journalist, publishing works critical of British Raj and espousing causes of Indian nationalism.
• As leader of Khilafat Movement, he came into close contact with Mahatma Gandhi.
• Became enthusiastic supporter of Gandhi’s ideas of non-violent civil disobedience and worked to organise the non-co-operation movement in protest of the 1919 Rowlatt Act.
• Committed to Gandhi’s ideals, including promoting Swadeshi (indigenous) products and cause of Swaraj (Self-rule) for India.
• In 1923, at age of 35, he became youngest person to serve as President of Indian National Congress.
• Main organizers of the Dharasana Satyagraha in 1931 and emerged as one of the most important national leaders of the time, prominently leading causes of Hindu-Muslim unity as well as espousing secularism and socialism.
• Srved as Congress president from 1940 to 1945, during which Quit India rebellion was launched.
• Worked for Hindu-Muslim unity through the Al-Hilal newspaper.