India Celebrates National Education Day Today

India is celebrating National Education Day today across varsities as per UGC's recommendation. The birth anniversary of the country's freedom fighter and first Education Minister Moulana Abul Kalam Azad is commemorated as National Education Day.

After India got independence, Azad served as the Education Minister for almost a decade from 1947 to 1958.

UGC has asked universities across India to celebrate November 11 as National Education Day by organising seminars, symposia, essay writing, elocution competitions, workshops and rallies with banners, cards and slogans on the importance of education and the nation's commitment to all aspects of education.

UGC's circular for National Education Day

In a circular sent to the universities, UGC secretary Jaspal Sandhu stated that the Ministry of Human Resource Development wishes that educational institutions should involve in the celebration of the National Education Day.

"As a mark of befitting respect to our beloved leader, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govemment of India vide its letter No.D.O.No.ll-2l2016-Pnl, dated 25th October, 2016, desired that Educational Institutions at all levels would be involved in the celebration of the National Education Day in organizing seminars, symposia, essay writing, elocution competitions, workshops and rallies with banners, cards and slogans on the importance of education and the nation's commitment to all aspects of education," the circular read.

About Moulana Abul Kalam Azad

• Azad's ideology on schools, which he considered as laboratories that produced future citizens paved way for quality education.
• He also emphasised on universal primary education, girls' education, free and compulsory education for all children upto the age of 14, vocational training and technical education.
• The first IIT, IISc, School of Planning and Architecture and the University Grants Commission were established under his regime.
• He also established most of the major cultural and literary academies such as Sangeet Natak Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Sahitya Academy as well as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.
• In 1992, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna for the works he carried out during his tenure.