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National Education Day is celebrated annually on November 11 to mark the birth anniversary of India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.  

Highlights:

About Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin Ahmed bin Khairuddin Al-Hussaini Azad

• He was an Indian independence activist, Islamic theologian, writer and a senior leader of the Indian National Congress.
• He became the First Minister of Education in the Indian government.
• Adopted Azad (Free) as his pen name.
• Became the youngest person to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress.
• He was elected as a member of foundation committee to establish Jamia Millia Islamia at Aligarh in U. P
• Prominently leading the causes of Hindu–Muslim unity as well as espousing secularism and socialism.
• Congress president(1940 to 1945) during Quit India rebellion
• Newspaper: Al-Hilal
• Books : India Wins Freedom, Ghubar-e-Khatir, Tazkirah, Tarjumanul Quran
• He served as president of the UNESCO General Conference held in Delhi
• Awards: Bharat Ratna (posthumously in 1992)

Mahatma Gandhi and Azad

• Leader of the Khilafat Movement, during which came into close contact with Mahatma Gandhi.
• Azad an 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 Acts.
• He committed himself to Gandhi’s ideals, including promoting Swadeshi and the cause of Swaraj for India.