National Education Day celebrated across the country on the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

National Education Day is celebrated in India every year on 11 November. According to a report by Amar Ujala, this day is observed on the birth anniversary of the country's first Education Minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The main objective of this day is to explain the importance of education and to outline its role in the development of the country. Additionally, awareness is also raised on this day regarding the need to provide equal opportunities for quality education to children and youth.

The announcement of the celebration of National Education Day was made on 11 September, 2008, by the then Ministry of Human Resource Development, which is now known as the Ministry of Education. Following this announcement, the day was celebrated for the first time on 11 November, 2008. This day was chosen to remember Maulana Azad's contribution to the field of education and to carry forward his ideas.

According to an NDTV report, Maulana Azad served as India's first Education Minister from 1947 to 1958 and played a crucial role in shaping India's education system after independence. He believed that education is indispensable for the building of a strong and progressive nation. His vision was not limited merely to primary education or literacy, but he also emphasised higher education, scientific research, technical education, and the promotion of Indian art and culture.

During his tenure, several important institutions were established that continue to contribute to the country's education system today. According to the NDTV report, India's first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur began in May 1950 at the Hijli Detention Camp in West Bengal. The institution was formally inaugurated by Maulana Azad on 18 August, 1951. The aim of this institution was to promote higher technical education and to prepare skilled professionals who could contribute to the industrial and scientific development of the country.

To maintain the standards of higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) was also established during his time. As per NDTV, Maulana Azad formally inaugurated the UGC on 28 December, 1953. Subsequently, it became a statutory body through an Act of Parliament in November, 1956. This institution helps in coordinating university education and assisting in the development of higher education institutions across the country.

Due to his idea of giving national recognition to Indian cultural traditions along with education, the Sangeet Natak Akademi was established in 1953. This institution functions as the national academy for music, dance, and drama. Similarly, the Sahitya Akademi was established to promote Indian literature, which was formally inaugurated on 12 March, 1954.

According to the Amar Ujala report, Maulana Azad's emphasis was on increasing educational opportunities in India, strengthening higher education, and promoting science and technical education. He believed that education should reach every individual and that no one's social or economic status should become a barrier to obtaining education. He was also a supporter of women's education. For his contributions to the field of education, he was posthumously honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1992.

On this occasion, various programmes are organised in schools, colleges, and universities. These include lectures, essay writing, discussions, and awareness programmes. Through these activities, students are provided with information about the importance of education and the individuals who contributed to the building of the education system.